Breath alcohol measuring apparatus

Abstract

A breath alcohol measuring apparatus is disclosed. According to at least one embodiment among various embodiments of the present disclosure, an apparatus for optically detecting an ethanol component from exhaled breath of a respiratory tract may comprise: a light source unit disposed at a first position and emitting light; a light detection unit disposed at a second position and detecting light emitted from the light source unit; and a processor for extracting an ethanol component included in an exhaled breath signal of the respiratory tract from an optical signal detected by the light detection unit and calculating a blood alcohol concentration on the basis of the extracted ethanol component.

Description

Breathalyzer

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a breathalyzer, and more particularly, to a device for detecting or measuring blood alcohol concentration from a user's exhaled breath.

[0002] Alcohol-related incidents and accidents continue to occur. Despite these incidents and accidents, most laws and common sense dictate that, rather than banning drinking altogether, discussions focus on appropriate measures and countermeasures when such incidents or accidents occur.

[0003] Most existing breathalyzer systems analyze alcohol (i.e., ethanol) in breath to determine whether a person is drinking.

[0004] Methods for measuring alcohol intake include semiconductor, electrochemical, and IR methods.

[0005] In the case of the semiconductor method, the amount of electricity generated when an alcohol component hits a semiconductor heated to a high temperature is measured to analyze the alcohol temperature, which is used to measure whether or not one is drunk. This method has the advantage of being inexpensive and portable, but has the problem of low accuracy.

[0006] The most widely used method of measuring alcohol consumption is the electrochemical method. This method measures alcohol concentration by measuring the amount of current generated when an alcohol component comes into contact with a platinum anode. This electrochemical method, like the semiconductor method, is portable and offers excellent accuracy in measuring alcohol consumption, and is currently used by police officers and other public officials. However, it is sensitive to external temperature and can only operate normally within a certain temperature range. In addition, it is not as inexpensive as the semiconductor method.

[0007] In addition, the IR method measures alcohol consumption by measuring the amount of infrared rays absorbed by alcohol and analyzing the alcohol concentration. It has excellent accuracy and is less sensitive to external influences, so it is mainly used for research purposes. However, it has the disadvantage of being relatively expensive and not portable compared to other methods.

[0008] In addition, conventional alcohol measurement devices or methods have limitations in allowing multiple people to use them together, and there is usually no binding force, so there is a problem in that measurement is impossible if the subject does not cooperate.

[0009] For example, in the electrochemical method described above, alcohol is measured from the breath exhaled by the subject by directly contacting the measuring device. However, it is difficult to obtain cooperation in the measurement due to concerns about infection due to COVID-19 and other health and hygiene issues, which give the subject a negative perception.

[0010] The present disclosure provides a device for measuring whether a person is drinking by measuring alcohol (ethanol) components from the exhaled breath of the subject based on an optical method.

[0011] A device for detecting ethanol components from exhaled breath of a respiratory organ by an optical method according to at least one embodiment among various embodiments of the present disclosure may include a light source unit disposed at a first position and irradiating light; a light detector unit disposed at a second position and detecting light irradiated by the light source unit; and a processor for extracting ethanol components included in an exhaled breath signal of a respiratory organ from a light signal detected by the light detector unit, and calculating a blood alcohol concentration based on the extracted ethanol components.

[0012] At this time, the light source unit and the light detection unit may be placed in opposite directions.

[0013] And the processor can determine the light source orientation angle so that the angle formed between the light source unit and the respirator is equal to or greater than a predefined threshold angle.

[0014] In addition, the processor can control the light source to irradiate light in a predetermined direction so that the pressure of the gas coming out of the respirator is higher than a predefined threshold value compared to the external pressure, taking into account the Maxwell-Boltzmann energy distribution.

[0015] And the above first position can be determined in the longitudinal direction of the seat belt.

[0016] Additionally, the second position can be determined by considering the angle of light irradiated from the light source unit on the upper surface inside the vehicle.

[0017] And the first position may be determined in multiple numbers at a predetermined interval along the length of the seat belt.

[0018] In addition, the first position is determined in the longitudinal direction of the seat belt, and a plurality of light sources can be placed at the determined position.

[0019] And, the angles formed between the light detection units of each of the above light sources may be different from each other.

[0020] In addition, the first position may be determined in multiple numbers at predetermined intervals along the length of the seat belt, and multiple light sources may be placed at each of the determined positions.

[0021] And, the angles formed between the light detection units of each of the above light sources may be different from each other.

[0022] Additionally, the first position can be determined by considering the angle formed with the respiratory organ on the upper surface inside the vehicle.

[0023] And the second position can be determined in the longitudinal direction of the seat belt.

[0024] In addition, the processor can compare the energy of the light irradiated from the light source using a signal amplification operator derived from the light absorption energy for cases where there is and is not an ethanol component contained in the exhaled breath discharged through the respiratory organ.

[0025] And the first position and the second position are arranged on the same plane, the light detection unit obtains reflected light of light irradiated from the light source unit, and the processor can detect an ethanol component from a reflected light signal obtained from the light detection unit.

[0026] According to at least one of the various embodiments of the present disclosure, there is an advantage in that the alcohol (or ethanol) component can be measured more accurately from the exhaled breath of a subject (or a subject) compared to a conventional method.

[0027] According to at least one of the various embodiments of the present disclosure, a means of transportation such as a vehicle can be controlled based on a result accurately measured through the above method, thereby providing an advantage in preventing or responding to various situations such as accidents.

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a drinking measurement system according to the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a processor according to the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a gas sensing method related to the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a light-based exhalation measurement method in relation to the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a light-based exhalation measurement method according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a light-based exhalation measurement method according to another example of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a light-based exhalation measurement method according to another example of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a light-based exhalation measurement method according to another example of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating a method of arranging light sources according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 10 is a graph illustrating wavelengths having alcohol peaks.

[0038] FIGS. 11 and 12 are diagrams illustrating a light-based exhalation measurement method according to another example of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrating a transmission type and a reflection type according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a light-based exhalation measurement method according to another example of the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 15 is a drawing illustrating a method for displaying drunk driving measurements using a light source array camera in the present disclosure.

[0042] Hereinafter, embodiments related to the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. The suffixes "module" and "part" used for components in the following description are assigned or used interchangeably solely for the convenience of writing the specification, and do not in themselves have distinct meanings or roles.

[0043] The following disclosure discloses a breathalyzer according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0044] A breathalyzer according to the present disclosure may be configured to include, for example, at least one sensor and a processor.

[0045] At least one sensor can sense the exhalation of a subject or target (hereinafter, referred to as “subject” for convenience of explanation).

[0046] The processor can analyze and process ethanol or alcohol (hereinafter, referred to as 'ethanol' for convenience of explanation) components from the exhalation data of the subject sensed by at least one sensor.

[0047] In this regard, an example of sensing the exhalation of a subject using multiple sensors according to the present disclosure is provided. However, this is merely an example, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0048] Meanwhile, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the present disclosure may utilize two sensors, wherein the first sensor may be a light irradiation unit that irradiates light in an optical manner, and the second sensor may be a light detection unit that receives the light irradiated by the first sensor. In this case, the second sensor may detect a modified signal caused by the breathing of the subject, i.e., exhalation, exposed to the path of the light irradiated by the first sensor. However, this is merely an example, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0049] The processor may be equipped with software, such as a program or firmware, for measuring whether the subject is drinking by receiving an optical signal (or optical data) (e.g., transformed by exhalation) received by a second sensor, i.e., a light detection unit.

[0050] Meanwhile, the breathalyzer according to the present disclosure will be described using the example of a device most likely to cause problems due to alcohol consumption, i.e., a device built into, mounted, or attached to a vehicle. Therefore, the subjects of the test may include vehicle occupants, such as the driver or passengers. However, this is merely an example, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0051] Meanwhile, among the plurality of sensors, the first sensor may be an infrared (IR) sensor, and in particular, a mid-infrared (MIR) or near-infrared (NIR) sensor. However, this is merely an example, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0052] Referring to the attached drawings below, a breathalyzer according to the present disclosure is described.

[0053] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a drinking measurement system (1) according to the present disclosure.

[0054] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a processor (110) according to the present disclosure.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 1, the alcohol measurement system (1) can be configured to include an electronic device (100) and a server (200).

[0056] The electronic device (100) is described using a vehicle as an example, as described above.

[0057] At this time, the breathalyzer may be built-in, mounted, attached, etc., in the vehicle (100) as described above.

[0058] The vehicle (100) may be configured to include a processor (110), a memory (120), a display (130), etc. However, some components constituting the vehicle (100), for example, components such as the memory (120), do not necessarily need to be included in the vehicle (100).

[0059] The processor (110) may be a main device that controls the overall operation of the vehicle (100), including driving of the vehicle (100). This processor (110) may be a computing device.

[0060] The processor (110) may perform the processor function of the alcohol measurement device according to the present disclosure or process various data obtained therefrom. Furthermore, as described above, the processor (110) may generate a signal for vehicle control based on the processed results.

[0061] For example, the processor (110) can sense the exhalation of the subject from the sensor (210 of FIG. 2) and, based on the sensed data, i.e., by processing and analyzing the data, determine whether the subject is drinking (e.g., blood alcohol concentration).

[0062] The memory (120) can store various data related to driving, control, etc. of the vehicle (100).

[0063] The memory (120) can temporarily store data obtained through a breathalyzer device in a vehicle (100).

[0064] The memory (120) can store reference data necessary for processing or analyzing data obtained through a breathalyzer device in a vehicle (100) in advance or update the stored reference data.

[0065] If the memory (120) includes an artificial intelligence learning engine related to analysis or judgment of drinking in the processor (110) or the alcohol measurement device, it can store or update a learning model or learning dataset for such an artificial intelligence learning engine.

[0066] However, the memory (120) is not an essential component and does not necessarily have to be installed in the vehicle (100). It may be located remotely and exchange data with the vehicle (100), processor (110), or breathalyzer through communication.

[0067] The display (130) may include a display installed inside the vehicle. However, this is merely an example, and the present disclosure may not be limited thereto. For example, the display (130) need not necessarily be installed inside the vehicle, and may be a display capable of outputting various data by linking to various communication networks. Meanwhile, the display may also include an audio output device, such as a speaker capable of audio output.

[0068] The display (130) can output various data processed or requested by the processor (110) through a panel or speaker. The data output in this manner may also include data related to alcohol measurement based on data sensed by the alcohol measurement device according to the present disclosure.

[0069] The display (130) can receive user input or output the aforementioned data by including an input / output interface such as a display panel and a speaker.

[0070] In the above, the display panel may be a touch panel, and may be any one of LCD, LED, OLED, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0071] Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the processor (110) is described using a processor for a breathalyzer as an example.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 2, the processor (110) may include a sensor unit (210), a first filter unit (220), an amplifier (230), a first processing unit, a second processing unit (260), etc.

[0073] The first processing unit may include, for example, a conversion unit (240) and a second filter unit.

[0074] The second processing unit (260) may be a signal processing unit (260).

[0075] The sensor unit (210) can sense the exhalation of the subject. A detailed description of the arrangement, configuration, operation, etc. of the sensor unit (210) will be described later.

[0076] The sensor unit (210) may include at least one sensor, sensor array, or a combination thereof provided or mounted on the vehicle (100).

[0077] The sensor unit (110) can sense additional signals in addition to the aforementioned exhalation signal.

[0078] The first filter unit (220) filters the exhalation signal sensed by the sensor unit (210) using a filter.

[0079] The above filter may be, for example, an analog filter. The above filter may be, for example, a bandpass filter.

[0080] The amplifier (230) amplifies the signal filtered by the first filter unit (220). At this time, the amplifier (230) can use an analog filter.

[0081] Among the first processing units, the conversion unit (240) converts the analog signal amplified by the amplifier (230) into a digital signal.

[0082] From this perspective, the conversion unit (240) may be, for example, an analog-digital conversion unit (240) (ADC: Analog-Digital Converter).

[0083] Among the first processing units, the second filter unit (250) filters the digital signal converted by the conversion unit (240).

[0084] At this time, the second filter unit (250) may include, for example, an IIR (Infinite Impulse Response) filter.

[0085] The signal processing unit (260) can perform signal processing on a signal that has been primarily processed in the first processing unit.

[0086] In the case of sensing the exhalation signal of the subject exposed to the atmosphere in the sensor unit (210) in FIG. 2, a lot of noise may be included. Therefore, in the various filters and amplifiers described above, filtering, signal amplification, etc. may be performed using, for example, fixed values, or updated values ​​may be used based on the results learned from an artificial intelligence engine (not shown) included in a server or vehicle (100) (e.g., included in a processor (110)).

[0087] As described above, the above signal processing process can be an important issue because it is related to accuracy, processing time or processing speed, and amount of power consumption in measuring the blood alcohol concentration of the subject by catching the user's exhalation signal in the air.

[0088] When a subject consumes alcohol, the metabolic processes in the body may be as follows:

[0089] Alcohol undergoes processes such as absorption, detoxification, and breakdown within the body, and can be absorbed or excreted through sweat, urine, and other substances. However, acetaldehyde, which is not broken down, can be excreted through the respiratory tract.

[0090] At this time, the gases exhaled through the respiratory tract may include CO2 and C2H5OH. CO2 is a byproduct of alcohol dilution and can be used as an indicator of alcohol traces. For example, alcohol absorbed into the body is not broken down, making it difficult to directly represent blood alcohol concentration. On the other hand, C2H5OH can serve as an alcohol detection factor as a breath gas, and in electrochemical breathalyzer methods, C2H5OH is obtained from breath gas and used as an alcohol detection factor.

[0091] Meanwhile, the blood alcohol concentration factor before and after the lungs differs. This is because ethanol tends to vaporize, evaporating from some alveoli. For this reason, the former blood alcohol concentration factor (i.e., ethanol) and the latter ethanol component must be matched. The ratio is typically 1:2100 (the former:the latter). However, this is merely an example and is not limited thereto. The above ratio may vary depending on country, policy, etc., and Korea, for example, adopts a ratio of 1:1995.

[0092] Meanwhile, the present disclosure relates to a method of measuring blood alcohol concentration through a type of gas sensing method, i.e., exhalation signal sensing.

[0093] FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a gas sensing method related to the present disclosure.

[0094] These gas sensing methods are broadly divided into passive detection methods and active detection methods.

[0095] Passive detection refers to a system in which the detection system is not in close proximity to the source, as illustrated in Fig. 3(a) or 3(b). This passive detection method has the advantage of being able to control the gas by confining it in a closed space because it has a sufficient distance from the source. However, since the amount of information is insufficient or there is a lot of noise, a method of “indirectly detecting the source” through analysis of information substances other than “directly detecting the source” is generally adopted. In this regard, this method is widely used in multi-gas detection systems that are suitable for analyzing or monitoring various gases in systems in which the detector is not in close contact with a specific source.

[0096] However, this passive detection method requires a countermeasure against outgassing.

[0097] Here, outgassing refers to the property of all substances to release gas from their surfaces. This characteristic occurs when the density of the substance is greater than its surroundings, and represents the gas released. Meanwhile, outgassing is maximum when the surroundings are a vacuum. However, outgassing of substances released into the atmosphere can be trace, requiring various methods to utilize this phenomenon.

[0098] On the other hand, active detection methods are systems that directly detect the source of the detection target, for example, and are located close to the source. For example, breathalyzers, commonly used on roads to measure alcohol consumption, are an example of this active detection method. While this active detection method has the advantage of directly detecting only the source, thereby ignoring other factors, there are not many ways to address the need for performance improvement in the detection system. Therefore, active detection methods are systems in which the detector is closely located to a specific source, and are utilized in specific gas detection systems that analyze or monitor only specific gases.

[0099] However, as mentioned above, in order to improve the performance of the active detection method, not only should the detection ability of the detector be given top priority, but cooperation of the inspection subject is also required.

[0100] As described above, the passive detection method is a detection system that is sensitive to the surrounding environment, whereas the active detection method is a detection system that is insensitive to the surrounding environment.

[0101] Meanwhile, the present disclosure describes a passive detection method as described above, but is not limited thereto.

[0102] In this regard, as one of the passive detection methods, there is a Raman analysis method known for general vehicles as shown in Fig. 3(a).

[0103] The Raman analysis method is a method of measuring by using a mirror to reduce the length of the optical path, which increases the error and makes calculations more complex as the optical path gets longer. That is, as shown in Fig. 3(a), the solid line portion (L1) generally gets longer and the system volume increases.

[0104] In contrast, as shown in Fig. 3(b), the present disclosure seeks to use a new optical path (L2) rather than the optical path (L1) shown in Fig. 3(a).

[0105] Referring to FIG. 3(a) and FIG. 3(b), the former Raman analysis method shows that the travel distance of ethanol released into the atmosphere is longer than that of the latter method of the present disclosure (i.e., L1>>L2).

[0106] In other words, in Raman analysis, the sensor is typically installed on the handlebar, which can lead to insufficient absolute ethanol entering the sensor intake. To compensate for this, it is necessary to additionally confirm the ethanol intake during drinking through CO2. In other words, the method in Figure 3(a) requires the use of both C2H5OH and CO2.

[0107] On the other hand, the method of the present disclosure can only use C2H5OH without using CO2.

[0108] For this reason, the measurement system volume (V1) of the Raman analysis method is bound to be significantly larger than the measurement system volume (V2) of the present disclosure (V1>>V2). Furthermore, the system construction cost is bound to be significantly higher when using the Raman analysis method (C1) than when using the method (C2) of the present disclosure.

[0109] In summary, the Raman measurement method illustrated in Fig. 3(a) may not easily ensure reproducibility because the shorter L1 is, the higher the ethanol concentration in exhaled breath from the respiratory system, but the Raman system inserted into the handle makes a judgment based on an ethanol concentration that is too low for L1 to be the maximum.

[0110] In addition, for the reasons mentioned above, the ethanol concentration that can be obtained in the Raman system is low, so a method of additionally compensating for blood alcohol concentration through other gases, such as CO2, is required, but it is inevitably very sensitive to the surrounding environment due to CO2 generated in the atmosphere and other surroundings, making it difficult to ensure accuracy, so a precision optical system needs to be built, but as a result, the price is bound to be very expensive.

[0111] On the other hand, the present disclosure, as shown in Fig. 3(b), fundamentally uses a method in which light is irradiated onto the exhaled breath and the light passing through is detected by a detector, which is different from the Raman method.

[0112] In this case, the present disclosure utilizes the fact that, when ethanol is present, light energy is absorbed by ethanol, causing energy loss. That is, the presence or absence of alcohol can be determined through the energy Δ value.

[0113] Therefore, according to the present disclosure, a breathalyzer (or system) can be constructed using only a relatively simple sensor structure consisting of a light source and a light detector, thereby enabling the construction of a system that is very simple and cost-effective, that is, relatively very inexpensive.

[0114] Meanwhile, unlike the Raman method, the present disclosure utilizes various light sources since information about ethanol is already known. For example, as described above, the present disclosure can utilize light sources ranging from NIR to MIR, which have spectra with characteristics as illustrated in Figures 10(a) and 10(b).

[0115] In the present disclosure, stable signal detection is required because the distribution of ethanol contained in exhaled breath disappears quickly when the exhaled breath is released into the atmosphere, i.e., when the subject exhales.

[0116] For this purpose, the present disclosure can detect alcohol components from the initial exhaled breath from a respiratory system with a relatively high ethanol density, for example, based on light. However, this is merely an example, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0117] Meanwhile, the measurement system according to the present disclosure senses at a location as close to the user's respiratory organ as possible, so that stable measurement evaluation can be performed.

[0118] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a light-based exhalation measurement method in relation to the present disclosure.

[0119] The method (method 1) illustrated in Figure 4(a) can accurately detect the presence of alcohol based solely on energy loss values, as MIR has a specific absorption wavelength band for ethanol, for example. This method can express blood alcohol concentration through quantitative matching with breathalyzers and invasive blood analysis.

[0120] On the other hand, the method (second method) shown in Fig. 4(b) can detect the presence or absence of alcohol through energy Raman scattering, for example, since the binding energy of ethanol in particular can be formed in the atmosphere in MIR.

[0121] The method of Fig. 4(b) is the method adopted in the Raman system of Fig. 3(a) described above.

[0122] Meanwhile, in the present disclosure, a light-based exhalation measurement system is disclosed with reference to FIGS. 3(b) and 4(a).

[0123] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a light-based exhalation measurement method according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0124] As mentioned above, in order to obtain a stable measurement, the present disclosure irradiates light as close to the respiratory tract as possible.

[0125] Referring to FIG. 5(a), the light-based exhalation measurement system according to the present disclosure may have a first sensor, i.e., a light irradiation unit (510), positioned at a first position, and a second sensor, i.e., a light detection unit (520), positioned at a second position.

[0126] FIG. 5(b) is a separate and enlarged drawing to more specifically explain the relationship between the light irradiation unit (510), the light detection unit (520), and the user's respiratory system.

[0127] Referring to Fig. 5(a), the position (first position) where the light irradiation unit (510) is placed may be, for example, on a seat belt.

[0128] The light irradiation unit (510) can irradiate light in the first direction.

[0129] The light detection unit (520) can be placed on the upper surface (second position) inside the vehicle.

[0130] The positions of the light irradiation unit (510) and the light detection unit (520) can be determined according to the arrangement relationship as shown in Fig. 5(b).

[0131] Referring to Fig. 5(b), the length from the light irradiation unit (510) to the respiratory organ can be represented as h.

[0132] The light irradiated through the light irradiation unit (510) is irradiated while gradually spreading between the light detection unit (520), and the radius of the area where the irradiated light reaches the light detection unit (520) can be r and the total irradiation length can be R.

[0133] Meanwhile, when the light irradiation unit (510) and the light detection unit (520) are placed in a straight line, the distance between the center line and the respiratory organ of the subject can be represented as d. And the angle formed between them can be expressed as Θ.

[0134] The measurement method according to the present disclosure aims to obtain stable results by measuring as close to the subject's respiratory tract as possible. In this regard, Equation 1 shows that the Maxwell-Boltzmann energy distribution is a pressure function.

[0135]

[0136] In mathematical expression 1, P represents the pressure of the gas coming out through the breath (mouth), and P ext represents the external pressure, and x represents the Maxwell-Boltzmann constant. Meanwhile, when light is irradiated toward the respiratory tract according to the present disclosure, P>>P ext can be expected.

[0137] In addition, as shown in Fig. 5(b), the area where light irradiated from the light irradiation unit (510) reaches the light detection unit (520) can be calculated as in mathematical expression 2.

[0138]

[0139] Mathematical expression 2 may take into account the margin according to the position matching of the light irradiation unit (510) and the light detection unit (520).

[0140] And in Fig. 5(b), when the height (h) and the light source position are determined, the volume in which the light source detects gas can be calculated as in mathematical equation 3.

[0141]

[0142] Meanwhile, the density of C2H5OH irradiated by light can be calculated as in mathematical equation 4.

[0143]

[0144] In mathematical expression 4, it can be seen that the density of C2H5OH depends on the Θ value shown in Fig. 5(b).

[0145] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a light-based exhalation measurement method according to another example of the present disclosure.

[0146] In explaining Fig. 6 below, for example, overlapping content with Fig. 5 will be omitted and other parts will be explained.

[0147] Meanwhile, FIG. 6 may be a drawing illustrating additional considerations based on FIG. 5.

[0148] In Fig. 6, a drinking measurement system that takes into account the user's forward, backward, left, and right movements may be illustrated.

[0149] Referring to FIG. 6, when the light source direction angle is θ as described above in FIG. 5, the angle generated when the light source moves according to the position adjustment of the car seat can be expressed as φ.

[0150] In other words, when the light source's directivity angle (θ) is arranged as shown in Fig. 6, the light detection unit is, for example, as in mathematical expression 2 (Rsinθ) 2 Since it is placed on π, multiple detectors may be required.

[0151] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a light-based exhalation measurement method according to another example of the present disclosure.

[0152] In explaining Fig. 6 below, for example, overlapping content with Fig. 5 will be omitted and other parts will be explained.

[0153] Fig. 7 shows the light source directivity angle (φ) set considering the car seat adjustment, and the position area of ​​the light detection unit (520) (Mathematical Formula 2) ((Rsinθ) 2 It can be expressed as a way to expand the margin of π).

[0154] That is, in Fig. 7, it may be possible to somewhat improve the output of the light source while still maintaining high ethanol density measurements near the respiratory tract.

[0155] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a light-based exhalation measurement method according to another example of the present disclosure.

[0156] In particular, FIG. 8 may be a drawing illustrating a method of measuring exhalation according to the user turning his or her head left and right.

[0157] Referring to Fig. 8, the path along which the light source can be placed can be calculated as in mathematical expression 5.

[0158]

[0159] At this time, the absorption of light by the breath gas can be calculated using Equation 6 by considering the Lambert-Beer law and the Maxwell-Boltzmann energy distribution of Equation 1 described above.

[0160]

[0161] In mathematical expression 6, a can represent the absorption rate, A can represent the absorption coefficient, and t can represent the thickness of the gas through which light passes.

[0162] In the present disclosure, the arrangement of a light source, for example, centered on a seat belt may be considered according to a method such as that shown in FIGS. 9(a) to 9(b).

[0163] First, Fig. 9(a) shows, for example, a method of arranging light sources along a seat belt.

[0164] Referring to Fig. 9(a), the light sources may be placed at different positions (911, 912, 913) in the longitudinal direction of the seat belt, or at least two or more may be placed in the longitudinal direction.

[0165] In this case, since the light source is positioned along the length of the seat belt, there is an advantage in optimizing the detector placement space by minimizing the angle of light from different light sources incident on the breath gas. Meanwhile, in this case, since the distance between the light source and the light detector (520) is different, light source conditions with different outputs may be required.

[0166] The method of Fig. 9(a) is that, under ideal conditions, absorption may depend on the density of the absorbing gas, and the intensity of light may be inversely proportional to the square of the distance.

[0167] In this case, for example, variations in the absorption conditions may be induced by variations in the light output.

[0168] In this regard, since the final energy value that is saturated is the same even if there is a difference in light energy in the present disclosure, this can be supplemented by pulse detection before saturation occurs.

[0169] The method of Fig. 9(b) is not to place each of the multiple light sources at different positions in the length direction of the seat belt, but to control the light sources so that they have different angles at the same position (920).

[0170] Although it is described as the same location for the purpose of comparison with Fig. 9(a), strictly speaking, rather than the same location, it may be a method in which multiple light sources are arranged continuously within a given area, but the irradiation angles of each light source are different.

[0171] Accordingly, according to Fig. 9(b), the distance between the plurality of light sources (920) and the light detection unit can be seen as almost the same, and the deviation in absorbed energy can also be minimized.

[0172] However, in this case, the placement area of ​​the detector (520) may be expanded due to a change in the light incidence angle.

[0173] Meanwhile, for example, in the case of using three light sources as in Fig. 9(b), the deviation of absorbed energy can be expressed as in mathematical equation 7.

[0174]

[0175] Meanwhile, in the case of Fig. 9(b), it is desirable to determine the light source arrangement by considering the internal conditions of the vehicle.

[0176] Additionally, in the case of (b) of Fig. 9, there may be an advantage of ease due to the arrangement of light sources having different irradiation directions.

[0177] Meanwhile, although not illustrated, a combination of the methods illustrated in Figs. 9(a) and 9(b) may also be utilized. For example, light sources may be positioned at different locations, as in Fig. 9(a), but multiple light sources may be positioned at each location, as in Fig. 9(b), to have different irradiation angles.

[0178] In addition, in the manner of FIGS. 9(a) to 9(b), regardless of the arrangement relationship, the processor (110) can also control the operation by determining which of the plurality of light sources to activate and which to deactivate.

[0179] Alternatively, in the method of FIGS. 9(a) to (b), the position of the light detection unit (520) may be formed as a movable structure rather than fixed, and this may be utilized.

[0180] With regard to Fig. 9, all wavelengths having an alcohol peak are available for use as light sources.

[0181] In relation to this, Fig. 10 is a graph illustrated to explain the wavelength having an alcohol peak.

[0182] Fig. 10(a) is a graph illustrating a wavelength having an alcohol peak of an NIR sensor, and Fig. 10(b) is a graph illustrating a wavelength having an alcohol peak of an MIR sensor.

[0183] Referring to Fig. 10(a), it can be seen that the wavelength having the alcohol peak of the NIR sensor is, for example, 2.3 μm.

[0184] On the other hand, referring to Fig. 10(b), since the wavelength having the alcohol peak of the MIR sensor is not an in-vivo condition, it can be utilized for, for example, all alcohol wavelength ranges.

[0185] The above example describes a method in which the light source is placed at a first position and the light detection unit (520) is placed at a second position.

[0186] Figures 11 and 12 illustrate the opposite case.

[0187] In other words, the light source is placed at the second position and the light detector is placed at the first position.

[0188] FIGS. 11 and 12 are diagrams illustrating a light-based exhalation measurement method according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0189] This method causes a problem in that the light source placed on the seat belt shifts when the subject moves, as the seat belt also moves, and the position displacement margin of the light detector is relatively larger than the position displacement margin of the light source, so unlike the example described above, the light detector is placed on the seat belt.

[0190] First, in the case of Fig. 10, when the position of the driver's respiratory organ changes back and forth, the radius of the light detection unit can be calculated using mathematical expression 8.

[0191]

[0192] Meanwhile, the displacement of the respiratory organ can be calculated using mathematical formula 9.

[0193]

[0194] At this time, the light direction angle can be expressed as 2φ, and the seat belt inclination angle can be expressed as θ.

[0195] In this way, the area of ​​change in breathing position can be covered forward and backward through optical directionality optimization. However, the system settings for this coverage can be determined, for example, by considering mathematical expression 10.

[0196]

[0197] At this time, when the respiratory position (d) and the seat belt inclination angle (θ) by the driver are determined, the light detectable arrangement area of ​​the light detection unit can be determined by the light source inclination angle (φ).

[0198] Next, Fig. 12 may be used to explain the compensation method when the user's head moves left and right.

[0199] If the user's head can be rotated at a 90-degree angle, a 30-degree light source orientation angle may require three light sources (3ea). This means that one light detector is required for each of the three light sources. However, in this case, it is preferable that each light source be installed so that it is directed toward the light detector.

[0200] In general, unless it is an artificial case, the user's (driver's) left and right head movement displacement angle can be around 60 degrees or within 60 degrees.

[0201] If the optical beam angle is typically around 30 degrees, a minimum of two or three beams may be required. However, if the optical beam angle becomes too large, the optical output may need to be increased.

[0202] Therefore, in the present disclosure, it is preferable to set the optical direction angle to, for example, 30 degrees + α. In this case, α may represent, for example, an additional displacement angle set according to the forward and backward movement of the respiratory organ.

[0203] However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned figures.

[0204] With regard to the signal amplification operator used in the present disclosure, the following may be noted.

[0205] Because the energy absorbed by alcohol is very small, attempts are typically made to amplify the signal. However, because the detection signal is so small, amplification in hardware (processor) can actually increase noise.

[0206] Therefore, in this case, we propose a method for amplifying small signals through operator derivation. This operator can be utilized in all energy-light absorption methods.

[0207] A general operator measurement can be derived from the difference between E1 and E2 as in Equation 11, where E1 is the case where there is no ethanol in the blood, and E2 is the case where there is ethanol in the blood.

[0208] Therefore, the operator can be as shown in Fig. 11.

[0209]

[0210] Meanwhile, since the light absorption method of the ethanol component is usually utilized, E1 > E2. In this case, ΔE is too small, so it needs to be eliminated.

[0211] In the present disclosure, mathematical expressions 12 to 15 may be used.

[0212] In the above situation, if the measured value of E1 is amplified by accumulating the slope trajectory function through an operation by an arbitrary factor (power or time), the amplification value can be proportional to the coefficient as in mathematical expression 12.

[0213]

[0214] In the above, if the measurement value is to be obtained in the same manner for E2, mathematical expression 13 can be used.

[0215]

[0216] On the other hand, in this case, the ratio does not change, but the absolute value is prominent, which can be expressed as the value for a pure valid signal without noise, as in the following mathematical expression 14.

[0217]

[0218] Afterwards, the selectivity of the valid signal can be reliably secured by a hardware amplifier. In this regard, mathematical expression 15 can be provided.

[0219]

[0220] FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrating a reflection type in addition to the aforementioned transmission type in relation to the present disclosure.

[0221] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a light-based exhalation measurement method according to another example of the present disclosure.

[0222] As described above, the transmission type illustrated in Fig. 13(a) has the light source (510) and the detection unit (520) positioned in opposite directions (facing each other).

[0223] The reflection type illustrated in Fig. 13(b) may have the light source (510) and the detection unit (520) positioned in the same direction or on the same plane.

[0224] In Fig. 13(b), it can be seen that a light source (510) and a detection unit (520) are arranged in the opposite direction of the reflector (530). At this time, the reflector (530) may include, for example, a mirror.

[0225] Using this type of reflection, ethanol components can be detected or sensed from exhaled breath.

[0226] Referring to Figure 14, both the light source and the detection unit can be installed in a camera system toward the front garnish, such as the handle, cluster, and CID. Reflected light (1410) and light entering through the exhalation (1420) are also illustrated.

[0227] As described above, in the present disclosure, light sources can be used from NIR to MIR.

[0228] Meanwhile, a light source array camera can also be used to detect ethanol. For example, since the present disclosure employs a method in which ethanol absorbs light energy, the image of a drunk driver may be blurred and the image may be blurred and the pseudo-outline may be weakened around the exhaled breath (1510), as shown in Figure 15(b), unlike the image of a normal driver (Figure 15(a)).

[0229] In the present disclosure, for the sake of convenience of explanation, an example is given of a case in which a breathalyzer is included in a vehicle. However, as described above, the present disclosure can be applied to various electronic devices or systems, such as smartwatches.

[0230] Even if not specifically mentioned, the order of at least some of the operations disclosed in the present disclosure may be performed simultaneously, in a different order than the order described above, or some may be omitted / added.

[0231] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the above-described method can be implemented as processor-readable code on a medium in which a program is recorded. Examples of processor-readable media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, and optical data storage devices.

[0232] The display device described above is not limited to the configuration and method of the embodiments described above, and the embodiments may be configured by selectively combining all or part of each embodiment so that various modifications can be made.

[0233] The present disclosure relates to a breathalyzer or system, and discloses a simple and efficient method for detecting a specific component based on light, and can be used in various light-based sensor systems, etc., and thus has industrial applicability.

Claims

1. In a device for detecting ethanol components from exhaled breath by optical means, A light source unit positioned at the first position and irradiating light; A light detection unit positioned at a second position and detecting light irradiated from the light source unit; and A processor including a processor that extracts an ethanol component included in an exhalation signal of the respiratory organ from a light signal detected by the light detection unit and calculates a blood alcohol concentration based on the extracted ethanol component. Breathalyzer.

2. In claim 1, The above light source unit and light detection unit are, placed in opposite directions, Breathalyzer.

3. In claim 1, The above processor, The light source orientation angle is determined so that the angle formed between the light source and the respiratory organ is equal to or greater than a predefined critical angle. Breathalyzer.

4. In claim 1, The above processor, Considering the Maxwell-Boltzmann energy distribution, the light source is controlled to irradiate light in a predetermined direction so that the pressure of the gas coming out of the respirator is higher than a predefined threshold value compared to the external pressure. Breathalyzer.

5. In claim 1, The above first position is, Determined in the longitudinal direction of the seat belt, Breathalyzer.

6. In claim 5, The second position above is, Determined by considering the angle of light irradiated from the light source on the upper surface inside the vehicle, Breathalyzer.

7. In claim 1, The above first position is, A plurality of seats are determined at a predetermined interval along the length of the seat belt. Breathalyzer.

8. In claim 1, The above first position is, Determined in the longitudinal direction of the seat belt, Multiple light sources are placed at a determined location, Breathalyzer.

9. In claim 8, Each of the above light sources, The angles formed between the above light detection units are different from each other, Breathalyzer.

10. In claim 1, The above first position is, A plurality of them are determined at a predetermined interval along the length of the seat belt. Multiple light sources are placed at each determined location. Breathalyzer.

11. In claim 10, Each of the above light sources, The angles formed between the above light detection units are different from each other, Breathalyzer.

12. In claim 1, The above first position is, Determined by considering the angle formed with the respiratory organ on the upper surface inside the vehicle. Breathalyzer.

13. In claim 1, The second position above is, Determined along the length of the seat belt, Breathalyzer.

14. In claim 1, The above processor, The light irradiated from the above light source unit is compared in energy using a signal amplification operator derived from the light absorption energy for cases where there is and is not ethanol component contained in the exhaled breath discharged through the respiratory organ. Breathalyzer.

15. In claim 1, The first position and the second position are arranged on the same plane, The above light detection unit obtains the reflected light of the light irradiated from the light source unit, The above processor, Detecting ethanol components from the reflected light signal obtained from the above light detection unit, Breathalyzer.

Images