Breath alcohol analyzer
First Claim
1. An apparatus for analyzing a breath sample, comprising:
- (a) a first means for sensing the pressure, the temperature and the humidity of the breath sample and in response generating a breath signature signal;
(b) a second means for sensing the alcohol content if any of the breath sample and in response generating an alcohol signal;
(c) a third means for providing a breath reference;
(d) a fourth means for providing an alcohol reference which includes an alcohol threshold level;
(e) a fifth means for comparing the breath signature signal with the breath reference and in response generating one of (i) a valid signal if the breath signature signal substantially matches within a pre-selected range the breath reference and (ii) an invalid signal if the breath signature signal does not substantially match the breath reference within the pre-selected range; and
(f) a sixth means for comparing the alcohol signal with the alcohol reference and in response generating one of (i) a passing signal if the alcohol signal is less than the threshold level and (ii) a failing signal if the alcohol signal equals or exceeds the threshold level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a system, both apparatus and method, for analyzing a breath sample (22). A transducer (24) senses the pressure, temperature and humidity of the breath sample and in response generates a breath signature signal (26). A sensor (28) detects the alcohol content of the breath sample and in response generates an alcohol signal (30). Also included is a breath reference (32), and an alcohol reference (34) which includes an alcohol threshold level (36). A first comparator (38) compares the breath signature signal with the breath reference, and in response generates either a valid signal (40) if the signals substantially match or an invalid signal (44) if the signals do not substantially match. A second comparator compares the alcohol signal with the alcohol reference, and in response generates either a passing signal or a failing signal depending on whether or not the threshold level is exceeded. In this Abstract, the parethetical reference numerals are included only to facilitate rapid understanding, and not to define or scope the Invention defined by the Claims.
61 Citations
53 Claims
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1. An apparatus for analyzing a breath sample, comprising:
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(a) a first means for sensing the pressure, the temperature and the humidity of the breath sample and in response generating a breath signature signal; (b) a second means for sensing the alcohol content if any of the breath sample and in response generating an alcohol signal; (c) a third means for providing a breath reference; (d) a fourth means for providing an alcohol reference which includes an alcohol threshold level; (e) a fifth means for comparing the breath signature signal with the breath reference and in response generating one of (i) a valid signal if the breath signature signal substantially matches within a pre-selected range the breath reference and (ii) an invalid signal if the breath signature signal does not substantially match the breath reference within the pre-selected range; and (f) a sixth means for comparing the alcohol signal with the alcohol reference and in response generating one of (i) a passing signal if the alcohol signal is less than the threshold level and (ii) a failing signal if the alcohol signal equals or exceeds the threshold level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus having components for analyzing a breath sample delivered by a subject, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) a transducer formed and positioned for sensing at least the temperature, the pressure and the humidity of the breath sample, the transducer in response generating a breath signature signal; (b) a sensor formed and positioned for sensing an alcohol concentration level if any carried by the breath sample, the sensor in response generating an alcohol signal; (c) a breath reference, representing a valid common range of breath signature signals of at least the temperature, the pressure and the humidity of a plurality of typical breath samples taken from a reference population of subjects; (d) an alcohol reference representing a common range of alcohol concentration levels in a typical subject'"'"'s blood correlated with a common range of alcohol concentration levels contained in the subject'"'"'s breath sample, the alcohol reference including an alcohol threshold value which one of (i) if not exceeded corresponds to a passing breath sample and (ii) if equaled or exceeded corresponds to a failing breath sample; (e) a first means for comparing the breath signature signal with the breath reference and providing as an output signal the information that one of (i) the breath sample is valid because the breath signature signal substantially matches the respective corresponding values in the breath reference and (ii) the breath sample is invalid because the breath signature does not substantially match the respective corresponding values in the breath reference; and (f) a second means for comparing the alcohol signal with the alcohol reference and providing as an output signal the information that one of (i) the breath sample is passing because the alcohol signal is less than the alcohol threshold value and (ii) the breath sample is failing because the alcohol signal is equal to or greater than the alcohol threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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21. The apparatus defined in clain 11, further including:
- an enabling switch, coupled to receive at least the signal from the first comparing means that the breath signal is valid, the enabling switch being coupled to then one of (i) enable the second means for comparing to compare the alcohol signal with the alcohol reference and (ii) not enable the second means for comparing to compare the alcohol signal with the alcohol reference.
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37. An apparatus for performing a test of a breath sample delivered to a sampler by a person to determine a measure of the alcohol content if any of the breath sample and to determine one of (i) the alcohol content is less than a pre-determined threshold level and thus the breath sample is a passing sample, and (ii) the alcohol content is greater than the threshold level and thus the breath sample is a failing sample, the apparatus being usable without a necessary sequence of operation, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) a first means for accurately determining the precise moment for starting the measurement of the alcohol content; (b) a second means for minimizing tampering with the apparatus by the person to prevent the changing of any test result and to prevent damage to the apparatus; (c) a third means for providing a hygenic breath sample to the sampler; (d) a fourth means for easily installing the apparatus to interconnect into the ignition system of a vehicle, the apparatus permitting the ignition system to be started by the person if the person delivers a passing sample and not permitting the ignition system to be started by the person if the person delivers a failing sample; (e) a fifth means for performing the test quickly so no more than about ten seconds time elapses from the beginning to the end of a test; and (f) a sixth means for storing the test results to prevent access by the person who delivers the breath sample and to permit access by a person authorized to retrieve the test results. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 52, 53)
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42. A method for analyzing a breath sample, comprising the steps of:
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(a) sensing the pressure, the temperature and the humidity of the breath sample and in response generating a breath signature signal; (b) sensing the alcohol content if any of the breath sample and in response generating an alcohol signal; (c) providing a breath reference; (d) providing an alcohol reference which includes an alcohol threshold level; (e) comparing the breath signature signal with the breath reference and in response generating one of (i) a valid signal if the breath signature signal substantially matches within a pre-selected range the breath reference and (ii) an invalid signal if the breath signature signal does not substantially match the breath reference within the pre-selected range; and (f) comparing the alcohol signal with the alcohol reference and in response generating one of (i) a passing signal if the alcohol signal is less than the threshold level and (ii) a failing signal if the alcohol signal equals or exceeds the threshold level. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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Specification