Breath actuation of electronic and non-electronic devices for preventing unauthorized access

• US 20120272713A1
• Filed: 04/29/2011
• Published: 11/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Agjah Libohova, Theodosios Kountotsis
• Original Assignee: Agjah Libohova, Theodosios Kountotsis
• Inventors: Kountotsis, Theodosios, Libohova, Agjah
• Granted Patent: US 8,844,337 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/23.3
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/117 Identification of persons methods or arrangements for recognising patterns, e.g. fingerprints, G06F18/00, G06V40/00; identification of persons by analysing their voice or speech G10L17/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6897 Computer input devices, e.g. mice or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/497 of gaseous biological material, e.g. breath
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/50 Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing measuring or testing processes involving enzymes or microorganisms, compositions or test papers therefor; processes for forming such compositions, condition responsive control in microbiological or enzymological processes C12Q
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints

Abstract

An apparatus is presented including an input unit for receiving initial breath samples; a breath analysis module for analyzing the initial breath samples; a comparison module for comparing the initial breath samples to subsequent breath inputs; and a breath authorization module for locking and/or unlocking the apparatus in response to results received from the comparison module. The apparatus may also include a storage unit for storing the initial breath samples and the subsequent breath inputs. The breath analysis module is a chemical breath component analyzer configured to: (i) count each of a plurality of select volatile organic compounds from the initial breath samples and the subsequent breath inputs received from the input unit and (ii) determine a concentration of each of the plurality of the select volatile organic compounds.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising:

a processing unit for executing a plurality of operations;

an input module for receiving breath samples;

a breath analysis module for analyzing the breath samples; and

a breath authorization module for allowing and/or preventing access to the plurality of operations of the electronic device in response to results received from the breath analysis module.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit for storing the plurality of operations and the breath samples.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the breath analysis module includes one or more sensors for sensing at least molecules and volatile organic compounds collected from the breath samples received from the input module.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the breath analysis module includes a comparison unit for comparing initial breath samples received for initialization with subsequent breath samples received for access.

5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is at least one of a mobile device, a cell phone, a smart phone, a personal computing device, an electronic book, an electronic tablet, a digital camera, a printing device, a multi-functional printing device, a camcorder, a television, a gaming system, an MP3 device, a security device, a tracking device, a fingerprint device, an Internet device, and automotive components.

6. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is one of a portable device and a non-portable device.

7. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the input module is at least one of an orifice, an inlet, and an opening.

8. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising an output indication unit for indicating whether the breath samples received from the input module allow access or prevent access to the plurality of operations, the output indication unit being one of a visual indication or an audible indication or a combination thereof.

9. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising an override function for overriding the breath authorization module.

10. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein a first breath input permits access to a first set of operations and a second breath input permits access to a second set of operations, the second set of operations being different than the first set of operations.

11. An apparatus comprising:

an input unit for receiving initial breath samples;

a breath analysis module for analyzing the initial breath samples;

a comparison module for comparing the initial breath samples to subsequent breath inputs; and

a breath authorization module for locking and/or unlocking the apparatus in response to results received from the comparison module.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the breath analysis module is a chemical breath component analyzer configured to:

(i) count each of a plurality of select volatile organic compounds from the initial breath samples and the subsequent breath inputs received from the input unit and (ii) determine a concentration of each of the plurality of the select volatile organic compounds.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the comparison module compares a plurality of select volatile organic compounds and a concentration of each of the plurality of select volatile organic compounds detected in the subsequent breath inputs with predetermined volatile organic compounds and predetermined ranges of concentration of select volatile organic compounds.

14. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the apparatus is at least one of an electronic device, a door, a safe, an appliance, a utensil, a machine, a tool, an instrument, a gadget, a mechanical mechanism, an electrical mechanism, and an electro-mechanical mechanism.

15. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a storage unit for storing the initial breath samples and the subsequent breath inputs.

16. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising an output indication unit for indicating whether the subsequent breath inputs allow access or prevent access to the apparatus, the output indication unit being one of a visual indication or an audible indication or a combination thereof.

17. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising an override function for overriding the breath authorization module.

18. A method of accessing an apparatus, the method comprising:

receiving initial breath samples from an input unit;

analyzing the initial breath samples via a breath analysis module;

comparing the initial breath samples to subsequent breath inputs via a comparison module;

storing the initial breath samples and the subsequent breath inputs via a storage unit; and

locking and/or unlocking the apparatus in response to results received from the comparison module via a breath authorization module.

19. The method according to claim 18,

wherein the breath analysis module is a chemical breath component analyzer configured to:

(i) count each of a plurality of select volatile organic compounds from the initial breath samples and the subsequent breath inputs received from the input unit and (ii) determine a concentration of each of the plurality of the select volatile organic compounds; and

wherein the comparison module compares the plurality of select volatile organic compounds and the concentration of each of the plurality of select volatile organic compounds detected in the subsequent breath inputs with predetermined volatile organic compounds and predetermined ranges of concentration of select volatile organic compounds.

20. The method according to claim 18, further comprising indicating, via an output indication unit, whether the subsequent breath inputs allow access or prevent access to the apparatus, the output indication unit being one of a visual indication or an audible indication or a combination thereof.