61 results about "Breathalyzer" patented technology

The invention relates to an improvement in a breath alcohol test devices includes within the handheld unit containing a fuel cell, a miniaturized self calibrating test device thereby avoiding the need for 30, 60 and 90 day calibration testing. It also relates to various tamper or circumvention improvements that may be used alone or in combination with the self calibration improvement, including cameras to record a driver providing a breath sample and to verify the location of the driver within a vehicle.

The invention relates to an improvement in a breath alcohol test devices includes within the handheld unit containing a fuel cell, a miniaturized self calibrating test device thereby avoiding the need for 30, 60 and 90 day calibration testing. It also relates to various tamper or circumvention improvements that may be used alone or in combination with the self calibration improvement, including cameras to record a driver providing a breath sample and to verify the location of the driver within a vehicle.

A monitored ignition system is provided. A monitored ignition lock unit is contained within a vehicle. The monitored ignition lock unit is in communication with a weight sensor in the driver's seat and a seatbelt detection feature of the vehicle. A monitored ignition lock managing system is contained remotely from the vehicle. The monitored ignition lock and the unit monitored ignition lock managing system are in wireless communication. The monitored ignition lock unit includes a handheld device and a receiving station. The handheld device includes a substance detector, such as a breathalyzer. A camera is aimed to photograph a user when engaged with the substance detector. The handheld device and the receiving station are connected via a tether. The tether is sized such that only a driver sitting relatively close to the monitored ignition lock unit docking can access the substance detector provided in the monitored ignition lock handheld device. If the user exceeds a predetermined reading from the substance detector, the vehicle is stopped from starting. Whether engine starting is allowed or disallowed, a message can be sent to the monitored ignition lock managing system.

A RF breathalyzer system, which transmits a unique RF signal in response to a toxic or non-toxic breath sample given to a RF breathalyzer by the user. An immobilizer CPU is installed in a vehicle to receive commands from the RF breathalyzer and to control a horn and lights of a vehicle, to immobilize the engine, and is connected to a GPS antenna driver through a mobile phone / pager unit to communicate with a monitoring station.

There is provided a blood alcohol content (BAC) level actuated lock box. The BAC level actuated lock box includes a housing, a breathalyzer, and a locking device. The housing has a lockable opening for allowing an item to pass there through. The housing is for securing the item therein when the lockable opening is in a locked position. The breathalyzer is for receiving a breath sample and determining a BAC level for the breath sample. The locking device is for maintaining the lockable opening in the locked position when the determined BAC level is greater than a pre-specified BAC threshold and for unlocking the lockable opening when the determined BAC is not greater than the pre-specified BAC threshold.

A RF breathalyzer system, which transmits a unique RF signal in response to a toxic or non-toxic breath sample given to a RF breathalyzer by the user. An immobilizer CPU is installed in a vehicle to receive commands from the RF breathalyzer and to control a horn and lights of a vehicle, to immobilize the engine, and is connected to a GPS antenna driver through a mobile phone / pager unit to communicate with a monitoring station.

A chemical vapor sensor is provided that measures a chemical species of interest with high sensitivity and chemical specificity. In an aspect, an ethanol vapor sensor is provided, sized for being inconspicuous and on-board a vehicle, having a passive measurement mode and an active breathalyzer mode, for detecting a motor vehicle driver that exceeds a legal limit of blood alcohol concentration (BAC), for use with vehicle safety systems. For the passive mode, a vapor concentrator is utilized to amplify a sampled vapor concentration to a detectible level for use with an infrared (IR) detector. In an aspect, ethanol vapor in a vehicle cabin is passively measured and if a predetermined ethanol level is measured, a countermeasure is invoked to improve safety. In an aspect, an active breathalyzer is used as a countermeasure. The active breathalyzer can be imposed for a number of vehicle trips or for a predetermined time period.

An ignition interlock and driving monitoring system having multiple sensors connected to a central processor (1) that monitors a vehicle operator for the presence of alcohol in the vehicle operator's system using one or more alcohol sensors (3), such as a transdermal sensor (4) located on a vehicle's steering wheel or a breathalyzer (5). A weight sensor (6) and / or a seat belt sensor (7) monitors the presence of the vehicle operator inside the vehicle to prevent an intoxicated individual from circumventing the system. If at any time the central processor receives a reading from one of the sensors that the vehicle operator is intoxicated or has committed a traffic infraction, then authorities are notified through a wireless notification, such as a message communicated through cellular, satellite, or other wireless technology.

A method and an apparatus is provided for a self-service breathalyzer kiosk system for collecting and reporting blood alcohol level information. The system and method enables a user to submit a report containing the user's current blood alcohol level at the time the report is submitted. In particular, the kiosk may be used to collect the current blood alcohol level information of the user and transmit the report of the current blood alcohol level information of the user over a communication network.

Amounts of volatile organic compositions can be evaluated from vapor samples based on the time dependent response of a fuel cell contacted with the vapor sample at its anode. The time response of the fuel cell signal, e.g., voltage or current, is de-convoluted using a set of standard curves for an equivalent fuel cell configuration obtained separately for each of the volatile organic compositions of a fuel cell with an equivalent construction as the sample-evaluation fuel cell. The methodology can be implemented on a system with an appropriate vapor collection device suitable for the particular application. The method and system can be used to analyze breath samples to evaluate ethanol levels or other volatile organic composition. The system can be a breathalyzer, a vehicle interlock, a medical analysis device or a sensor of environmental or industrial interest.

The calibrating breathalyzer comprises an alcohol sensor, a non-volatile memory, a processing unit or processor, a display and a housing to house these components. The processing unit can calibrate the breathalyzer using the user's body as a simulator based on the user's metabolism rate, type and amount of alcohol consumed by the user. The processing unit determines a sample time to receive a breath sample from the user based on a time to a predetermined calibration point from the drinking start time calculated using the user's metabolism rate and the determined maximum alcohol level. The BAC % measurement based on the user's breath sample at the sample time is used as a reference point in calibrating the breathalyzer.

A breath alcohol ignition interlock device includes a mock beverage housing including at least one of breath alcohol electronics and a hand held breath alcohol analyzer therein, a mouthpiece in fluid communication with an alcohol sensor associated with the at least one of breath alcohol electronics and a hand held breath alcohol analyzer and a vent exhausting breath from the mock beverage housing. The mock beverage container housing can be disguised as a coffee cup, a fountain drink cup, a soda can and a soft drink bottle. The mouthpiece can be disguised as a coffee cup lid, a fountain drink cup straw, a soda can opening and a soft drink bottle top. A wireless communication module can support data synchronization and communications between the device and a base station installed within a motor vehicle.

The calibrating breathalyzer comprises an alcohol sensor, a non-volatile memory, a processing unit or processor, a display and a housing to house these components. The processing unit can calibrate the breathalyzer using the user's body as a simulator based on the user's metabolism rate, type and amount of alcohol consumed by the user. The processing unit determines a sample time to receive a breath sample from the user based on a time to a predetermined calibration point from the drinking start time calculated using the user's metabolism rate and the determined maximum alcohol level. The BAC % measurement based on the user's breath sample at the sample time is used as a reference point in calibrating the breathalyzer.

The present invention relates to a portable, personal breath tester device for testing the blood alcohol content of the user of the device. The breath tester comprises a circuit board, wherein a sensor, a liquid crystal display, and a processing unit are installed on and electrically connected to the circuit board. The processing unit receives a voltage signal from the sensor representing the blood alcohol content of the user and converts the voltage signal to a precise value that is displayed on the liquid crystal display.

The present invention describes a replaceable breath alcohol sensor module that can be replaced with a new pre-calibrated breath alcohol sensor module or re-calibrated. The breath alcohol sensor module requiring calibration can be removed from the body of a Breath Alcohol Testing Device (commonly called “breathalyser” or “breathalyzer”). The breath alcohol sensor module can be separately calibrated for accurate calculation of “percent blood alcohol concentration” (% BAC) based on breath air samples and then re-installed into the breath alcohol tester or the old breath alcohol sensor module can be replaced with a new pre-calibrated breath alcohol sensor module. The present invention improves upon and / or replacing the current method of re-calibration at a breathalyzer service center.

A chemical vapor sensor is provided that measures a chemical species of interest with high sensitivity and chemical specificity. In an aspect, an ethanol vapor sensor is provided, sized for being inconspicuous and on-board a vehicle, having a passive measurement mode and an active breathalyzer mode, for detecting a motor vehicle driver that exceeds a legal limit of blood alcohol concentration (BAC), for use with vehicle safety systems. For the passive mode, a vapor concentrator is utilized to amplify a sampled vapor concentration to a detectible level for use with an infrared (IR) detector. In an aspect, ethanol vapor in a vehicle cabin is passively measured and if a predetermined ethanol level is measured, a countermeasure is invoked to improve safety. In an aspect, an active breathalyzer is used as a countermeasure. The active breathalyzer can be imposed for a number of vehicle trips or for a predetermined time period.

The portable breathalyzer accessory combines a blood alcohol content measuring tool with a mobile device to measure, store, and send the blood alcohol content of the user. The portable breathalyzer device attaches to a mobile device, wired or wirelessly, to display the blood alcohol content of the user, which is measured through the portable breathalyzer attachment. The blood alcohol content is displayed as a percentage on the mobile device through the corresponding software application. The software application shows the user their blood alcohol content in comparison with the local blood alcohol content limit, which is found by determining the user's location through the GPS technology of the mobile device.

Systems and methods for testing blood alcohol level and transmitting results using a mobile device, including attaching a breathalyzer device to the mobile device, wherein the breathalyzer device is configured to transmit data to the mobile device. Blood alcohol level of a user is tested using the breathalyzer device, and an alert is sent to one or more contacts if the blood alcohol level of the user is above a pre-determined level. A response is received from a contact indicating that the responding contact is able to assist the user, all non-responding contacts are notified that the responding contact will assist the user; and all non-responding pre-determined contacts are notified when the responding pre-determined contact has arrived to assist the user.

A calibration arrangement for breathalyzers wherein a heightened degree of control and management is applied. Broadly contemplated are arrangements whereby jars or containers of new solution to be used in the calibration arrangement are subject to automatic verification. Also contemplated is the close monitoring of the running of calibration tests and safeguards to ensure that extensively used or old solution is not put into use.

An apparatus includes a protective case for a portable computing device and an integrated alcohol sensor module for measuring the blood alcohol concentration of a user. The apparatus also includes a breath interface, a wireless communication device, an alcohol sensor module and a microcontroller. The protective case houses and protects the portable computing device and the internal electronic components. The breath interface allows the user to provide a breath sample to the alcohol sensor module. The alcohol sensor module measures the alcohol concentration of the breath sample. The microcontroller operates the alcohol sensor module and conveys the alcohol concentration measurements to the portable computing device via the wireless communication device. The microcontroller and the wireless communication device are both mounted within the protective case. The alcohol concentration measurement is used as input for a variety of software application which promote safe drinking and driving habits.

Amounts of volatile organic compositions can be evaluated from vapor samples based on the time dependent response of a fuel cell contacted with the vapor sample at its anode. The time response of the fuel cell signal, e.g., voltage or current, is de-convoluted using a set of standard curves for an equivalent fuel cell configuration obtained separately for each of the volatile organic compositions of a fuel cell with an equivalent construction as the sample-evaluation fuel cell. The methodology can be implemented on a system with an appropriate vapor collection device suitable for the particular application. The method and system can be used to analyze breath samples to evaluate ethanol levels or other volatile organic composition. The system can be a breathalyzer, a vehicle interlock, a medical analysis device or a sensor of environmental or industrial interest.

A calibration arrangement for breathalyzers wherein a heightened degree of control and management is applied. Broadly contemplated are arrangements whereby jars or containers of new solution to be used in the calibration arrangement are subject to automatic verification. Also contemplated is the close monitoring of the running of calibration tests and safeguards to ensure that extensively used or old solution is not put into use.

The subject device and associated system relates generally to assessing impairment of an individual to determine whether to provide access to operate a motor vehicle, providing an ignition interlock that works without requiring modification in a motor vehicle and allowing an individual to start the vehicle only following measurement of blood alcohol content or following a series of cognitive tasks to determine the level of impairment. The systems and devices described herein relate incorporate a shielded case designed to disable communication between wireless car keys and the corresponding motor vehicles. This method of achieving an ignition interlock can be combined with a breathalyzer, or with a fingerprint alcohol sensor, or with cognitive tests running on a mobile computing device.

A mobile, wireless biometric identification system includes a biometric capture device which enables a smartphone, using a commercially established wireless communication networks, to capture a digital image of a human biometric (iris, fingerprint, etc.) for transmission to a central server. The biometric capture device captures a high quality image for encoding and comparison, while the overall system leverages the existing cellular communication network. The device includes at least one other data capture device which can read, capture and transmit at least one of a variety of other data types from a variety of different government issued credentials, such as passports, driver's licenses, etc. A breathalyzer module can capture of breathalyzer sample and combine the sample data with other captured identification data to positively link the sample to the individual providing the sample.

The present invention describes a replaceable breath alcohol sensor module that can be replaced with a new pre-calibrated breath alcohol sensor module or re-calibrated. The breath alcohol sensor module requiring calibration can be removed from the body of a Breath Alcohol Testing Device (commonly called “breathalyser” or “breathalyzer”). The breath alcohol sensor module can be separately calibrated for accurate calculation of “percent blood alcohol concentration” (% BAC) based on breath air samples and then re-installed into the breath alcohol tester or the old breath alcohol sensor module can be replaced with a new pre-calibrated breath alcohol sensor module. The present invention improves upon and / or replacing the current method of re-calibration at a breathalyzer service center.

The calibrating breathalyzer comprises an alcohol sensor, a non-volatile memory, a processing unit or processor, a display and a housing to house these components. The processing unit can calibrate the breathalyzer using the user's body as a simulator based on the user's metabolism rate, type and amount of alcohol consumed by the user. The processing unit determines a sample time to receive a breath sample from the user based on a time to a predetermined calibration point from the drinking start time calculated using the user's metabolism rate and the determined maximum alcohol level. The BAC % measurement based on the user's breath sample at the sample time is used as a reference point in calibrating the breathalyzer.

An apparatus includes a protective case for a portable computing device and an integrated alcohol sensor module for measuring the blood alcohol concentration of a user. The apparatus also includes a breath interface, a wireless communication device, an alcohol sensor module and a microcontroller. The protective case houses and protects the portable computing device and the internal electronic components. The breath interface allows the user to provide a breath sample to the alcohol sensor module. The alcohol sensor module measures the alcohol concentration of the breath sample. The microcontroller operates the alcohol sensor module and conveys the alcohol concentration measurements to the portable computing device via the wireless communication device. The microcontroller and the wireless communication device are both mounted within the protective case. The alcohol concentration measurement is used as input for a variety of software application which promote safe drinking and driving habits.

A system for testing an individual for illicit or other substances is described. The system operates in tandem with a mobile device (smartphone) application, which employs a camera of the mobile device to capture and record the self-administered specimen collection process for verification and rule compliance. The system guides the user through the process via on-screen prompts on the mobile device, and includes tracking of the collected specimen from the moment of collection until it is sealed in a tamper-proof container to be mailed for external testing at a lab. A breathalyzer may also be used with the system to test for the presence of alcohol in the user's body, the use of which is also monitored and recorded via the on-board camera of the mobile device for verification.