Breath alcohol analyzer

• US 4,809,810 A
• Filed: 05/01/1986
• Issued: 03/07/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Autosense LLC
• Original Assignee: Autosense LLC
• Inventors: Elfman, Brian P., Zajac, Patricia L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bertsch, Richard A.
• Application Number:
  US06/858,455
• Time in Patent Office: 1,041 Days
• Field of Search: 180/272, 340/576, 340/561, 340/562, 340/506, 340/521, 340/507, 73/23, 128/719
• US Class Current: 180/272
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/4972 Determining alcohol content for vehicle safety devices B60K28/06

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.

Claims

1. An apparatus having components for analyzing a breath sample delivered by a subject, the apparatus comprising:

(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.

2. The apparatus defined in claim 1, further including:

an electronic controller unit coupled for analyzing the breath sample, and producing, displaying and storing the analysis test results.

3. The apparatus defined in claim 2, wherein the electronic controller unit comprises:

(a) A stationary electronics system formed for being mounted to a host object; and

(b) A portable electronics system carried by a portable object which is formed for moving with respect to the host object and formed for being coupled with the host object.

4. The apparatus defined in claim 3, wherein:

the host object is a vehicle and the portable object is a hand-held sampler unit.

5. The apparatus defined in claim 1, further including:

a sampler unit defining within itself a chamber for receiving the breath sample, the sampler unit being formed to house each of the transducer and the sensor so each is in fluid communication with the chamber.

6. The apparatus defined in claim 5, further including:

the sampler unit being coupled to be portable.

7. The apparatus defined in claim 6, further including:

a sampler electronics package, electrically coupled to the transducer and the sensor.

8. The apparatus defined in claim 7, further including:

a sampler power supply, coupled to the sampler electronics.

9. The apparatus defined in claim 8, wherein the sampler electronics includes:

a sampler controller, formed to be electrically coupled to control and to be powered by the sampler power supply, the sampler controller also being formed to deliver a periodic refresh signal to the sensor from the power supply.

10. The apparatus defined in claim 9, wherein the periodic refresh signal comprises:

a signal which is delivered often enough so the sensor is prepared to produce a test result in a range of about 3 to 5 seconds.

11. The apparatus defined in claim 9, wherein the periodic refresh signal comprises:

a signal which is delivered about every 30 minutes and has a time duration of about 7 seconds.

12. The apparatus defined in claim 9, wherein the periodic refresh signal comprises:

a signal in a range of about 5.8 volts to about 6.7 volts inclusive.

13. The apparatus defined in claim 7, wherein the sampler electronic package further includes:

a sampler test switch formed to be coupled to the sampler electronics and the sampler power supply, and operable by the person delivering the breath sample to initiate a breath test analysis.

14. The apparatus defined in claim 13, wherein the sampler test switch comprises:

a switch that when operated causes a signal of about 5 volts to be delivered for about 7 seconds to the sensor, after which time the sensor produces a test result in about an additional range of about 3 to 5 seconds, for a total elapsed time in the range of about 10 to 12 seconds.

15. The apparatus defined in claim 5, wherein the sampler unit further includes:

a portable electronics system formed to be coupled to the transducer and the sensor and capable of performing a breath test to produce and store the breath signature signal and the percent blood alcohol concentration when the sampler unit is not coupled to the host object.

16. The apparatus defined in claim 15, wherein the sampler unit further includes:

a timer formed to be coupled to the portable electronics and adjustable to set a time limit during which the portable electronics will store the breath signature signal and the percent blood alcohol concentration.

17. The apparatus defined in claim 1, further including:

a power supply system.

18. The apparatus defined in claim 17, wherein the power supply system comprises:

(a) a rechargeable remote battery of the type used in the electrical system of a motor-driven vehicle, the remote battery being coupled for recharging by the vehicle;

(b) a rechargeable local battery coupled to power the apparatus electronics, and also coupled to the vehicle for recharging; and

(c) a detector means for sensing if the motor is one of (i) in operation and (ii) not in operation, the detector means being coupled to a battery control electronics component which selects one of (iii) a battery charge mode if the motor is in operation and (iv) a non-battery charge mode if the motor is not in operation.

19. The apparatus defined in claim 18, further including:

a means for electrically isolating the apparatus electronics from the vehicle'"'"'s electrical system to at least prevent electrical damage to the apparatus electronics by the vehicles electrical system.

20. The apparatus defined in claim 1, further including:

a means for performing the test quickly so no more than about 15 seconds time elapses from the beginning to the end of the test.

21. The apparatus defined in claim 1, further including:

a means for performing the test quickly so no more than about 10 seconds time elapses from the beginning to the end of the test