Breath detection device

Abstract

The system detects alcohol in the breath of the occupants outside the moving vehicle. [Solution] A breath detection device for detecting alcohol contained in the breath of a mobile vehicle in the cockpit of a mobile vehicle is provided, comprising a detection unit for detecting the alcohol and a communication unit for communicating with an external device of the mobile vehicle, wherein the communication unit receives a result request from the external device and transmits the detection result from the detection unit to the external device in response to the result request. The detection unit may perform the alcohol detection when the communication unit receives the result request.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an exhalation detection device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a drunk driving prevention system that prevents drunk driving through communication between an external server and an in-vehicle device. Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-210931

Summary of the Invention

[0003] In one aspect of the present invention, an exhalation detection device that detects alcohol contained in exhalation is provided in the cockpit of a moving body. The exhalation detection device may include a detection unit that detects the alcohol. Any of the exhalation detection devices may include a communication unit that communicates with an external device of the moving body. The communication unit of any of the exhalation detection devices may receive a result request from the external device and transmit the detection result in the detection unit to the external device in response to the result request.

[0004] The detection unit of any of the exhalation detection devices may perform the detection of the alcohol when the communication unit receives the result request.

[0005] The communication unit of any of the exhalation detection devices may activate the detection unit when the communication unit receives the result request.

[0006] Any of the exhalation detection devices may include a result storage unit that stores the detection result by the detection unit in association with additional information including at least a part of the acquisition time of the detection result, the position information of the moving body when the detection result is acquired, the speed information of the moving body when the detection result is acquired, and information regarding the occupant of the moving body when the detection result is acquired. The communication unit of any of the exhalation detection devices may transmit the detection result and the additional information in association with each other.

[0007] The communication unit of any of the above-mentioned breath detection devices may transmit the additional information in association with the detection result if the detection result satisfies the conditions set in advance.

[0008] Any of the above-described breath detection devices may include a power supply unit that supplies power to the communication unit when the power unit of the mobile body is not running.

[0009] Any of the above-described breath detection devices may include a notification unit that notifies the occupant of the mobile vehicle that the communication unit has transmitted the detection result.

[0010] Any of the above-described breath detection devices may include a result storage unit for storing the detection result obtained by the detection unit. The communication unit of any of the above-described breath detection devices may transmit the detection result to an external device if the external device is capable of receiving the detection result.

[0011] The result storage unit of any of the above-mentioned breath detection devices may store the detection result and the result request in association. The communication unit of any of the above-mentioned breath detection devices may transmit the corresponding detection result to the external device if the external device corresponding to the result request is capable of receiving the detection result.

[0012] The communication unit of any of the above-mentioned breath detection devices may transmit the detection result to the external device that sent the result request.

[0013] The mobile body may be equipped with an openable and closable window. Any of the above breath detection devices may be equipped with an information acquisition unit that acquires additional information indicating the open / closed state of the window in association with the detection result. The communication unit of any of the above breath detection devices may transmit the corresponding detection result when the additional information satisfies predetermined conditions.

[0014] The above summary of the invention does not enumerate all of its features. Furthermore, subcombinations of these features may also constitute an invention. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a mobile body 400 equipped with a breath detection device 300 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the breath detection device 300. [Figure 3] This block shows another example configuration of the breath detection device 300. [Figure 4] This block shows another example configuration of the breath detection device 300. [Figure 5] This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the detection unit 100. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] The present invention will be described below through embodiments of the invention, but these embodiments are not intended to limit the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a mobile body 400 equipped with a breath detection device 300 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The mobile body 400 is, for example, an automobile, but is not limited thereto. The mobile body 400 may be a ground mobile body such as a vehicle moving on the ground, an air mobile body such as an aircraft flying in the air, a water mobile body such as a ship moving on the water, an underwater mobile body such as a submarine moving underwater, or a mobile body moving to another location.

[0018] The mobile unit 400 includes a cockpit 440 in which an operator who controls the mobile unit 400 sits. The cockpit 440 may have space for passengers other than the operator. The cockpit 440 is a space in which the control equipment for the mobile unit 400, such as a steering wheel in an automobile, is installed. In this example, the cockpit 440 is a space enclosed by the mobile unit housing 410 of the mobile unit 400. The mobile unit housing 410 includes, for example, the body of an automobile. The mobile unit housing 410 may include at least one of one of one or more windows 450 and one or more doors 460. The windows 450 and doors 460 may be openable and closable between the cockpit 440 and the external space. The mobile unit housing 410 may have other openable and closable parts besides the windows 450 and doors 460.

[0019] The breath detection device 300 detects alcohol in the breath of the pilot in the cockpit 440 of the mobile vehicle 400. The breath detection device 300 in this example may be a device capable of detecting alcohol without requiring operation of the equipment by the pilot or other crew members, or any action such as intentionally blowing breath into the device by the crew members. The breath detection device 300 detects alcohol in the breath of the pilot or other crew members by measuring the air in the cockpit 440. Part or all of the breath detection device 300 is installed in the cockpit 440. The breath detection device 300 may detect the alcohol concentration (ppm). The breath detection device 300 may determine whether the detected alcohol concentration is within an acceptable range. The breath detection device 300 may, if the detected alcohol concentration exceeds the permissible range, prohibit the operator from operating the mobile unit 400, restrict the speed and range of movement of the mobile unit 400, restrict human operation and switch to automatic driving mode. The breath detection device 300 may estimate the operator's blood alcohol concentration from the alcohol concentration contained in the detected breath. If the detected alcohol concentration exceeds the permissible range, the breath detection device 300 may provide an alarm to the operator, including that fact, record the detected alcohol concentration, time, operator, and location, and inform the operator that the alcohol concentration should be remeasured. The breath detection device 300 may acquire location information of the mobile unit 400 and change the permissible range of alcohol concentration based on the acquired location information. For example, in Japan, a breath alcohol concentration of 0.15 mg / L or higher constitutes drunk driving, but in Germany, a breath alcohol concentration of 0.25 mg / L or higher is a violation of the law. Therefore, the breath detection device 300 may change the permissible range of alcohol concentration based on the location information of the mobile body 400.

[0020] The mobile body 400 in this example includes a power unit 420 and a power storage unit 430. The power unit 420 generates power to move the mobile body 400. The power unit 420 may be an internal combustion engine such as an engine that generates power by burning fuel. The power unit 420 may also be an electric motor such as a motor that rotates according to electric power. The breath detection device 300 may stop the generation of power by the power unit 420 when the detected alcohol concentration exceeds the allowable range. When the power unit 420 is an electric motor such as a motor, it may include a fuel cell as a power source, and the breath detection device 300 may stop the operation of the fuel cell when the detected alcohol concentration exceeds the allowable range.

[0021] The power storage unit 430 stores electric power and supplies electric power to the equipment of the mobile body 400. The power storage unit 430 may supply electric power to the power unit 420, may supply electric power to the breath detection device 300, and may also supply electric power to other equipment such as an air conditioner that adjusts the temperature of the cockpit 440 and a display unit that displays information. The breath detection device 300 may stop the power supply from the power storage unit 430 when the detected alcohol concentration exceeds the allowable range.

[0022] The breath detection device 300 in this example transmits the alcohol detection result to an external device in response to a result request from the external device of the mobile body 400. The external device that transmits the result request and the external device that receives the detection result may be the same device or different devices. By controlling the breath detection device 300 from outside the mobile body 400, the timing of detecting alcohol contained in the breath of the operator or the like, or the timing of transmitting the detection result can be controlled from outside. Therefore, it is possible to detect a state such as drunk driving at an arbitrary timing regardless of the intention of the passengers or the like.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the breath detection device 300. The breath detection device 300 includes a detection unit 100 and a communication unit 200. The breath detection device 300 may further include a part or all of a result storage unit 210, an information acquisition unit 220, and a power supply unit 230.

[0024] The detection unit 100 detects alcohol. The detection unit 100 may also detect components other than alcohol. For example, the detection unit 100 may detect the concentration (ppm) of alcohol and the concentration (ppm) of carbon dioxide in the cockpit 440. The detection unit 100 may automatically detect alcohol without depending on the will of the occupant. The detection unit 100 may correct the detected concentration of alcohol based on the detected concentration of carbon dioxide. In this specification, the concentration detected by the detection unit 100 may be referred to as the detected concentration. The detection unit 100 may have a non-dispersive infrared absorption method (NDIR method) or an electrochemical (fuel cell type) sensor.

[0025] The communication unit 200 communicates with external devices of the mobile body 400. The communication unit 200 receives a result request from an external device. The communication unit 200 transmits the detection result in the detection unit 100 to the external device in response to the result request. The communication unit 200 may automatically transmit the detection result to the external device that transmitted the corresponding result request. In another example, the communication unit 200 may transmit the detection result to an external device different from the external device that transmitted the result request. The detection result of the detection unit 100 may include information on the detected concentration of alcohol and may also include information on whether the detected concentration of alcohol exceeds a reference value.

[0026] When the communication unit 200 receives a result request, it transmits the detection result of alcohol to an external device. When the communication unit 200 receives a result request, it may activate the detection unit 100 to detect alcohol. When the communication unit 200 receives a detection result, it may acquire the past detection results already stored in the result storage unit 210 and transmit them to the external device. For example, the communication unit 200 may transmit the history of the detection results of alcohol in a predetermined past period based on the timing when the result request was received to the external device. With such a configuration, the timing of detecting alcohol contained in the breath of the operator or the timing of acquiring the detection result can be controlled from the outside.

[0027] The communication unit 200 may communicate with external devices via wireless communication. The communication unit 200 may have an antenna on the mobile housing 410, such as a window 450, for communicating with external devices. The communication unit 200 may communicate with a mobile terminal when the mobile terminal is located near the antenna. For example, the communication unit 200 may communicate with a mobile terminal carried by a police officer or the like. This makes it easy to detect the current or past drinking status of the occupants, etc. In another example, the communication unit 200 may communicate with an external device installed on a non-mobile device such as a traffic signal or speed measuring device installed on a road. In this case, communication can be easily established between the external device and the communication unit 200 even when the mobile body 400 is moving. The communication unit 200 may communicate with an external device when the mobile body 400 is moving, or it may communicate with an external device when the mobile body 400 is stationary.

[0028] The power supply unit 230 supplies power to the communication unit 200. The power supply unit 230 may be capable of supplying power to the communication unit 200 even when the power unit 420 of the mobile unit 400 is not running. The power supply unit 230 may have a power generation element that generates power from radio waves received from an external device, or it may be a battery that stores power supplied from a power source such as the energy storage unit 430. The power supply unit 230 may also supply power to components of the breath detection device 300 other than the communication unit 200, such as the detection unit 100. The energy storage unit 430 may supply power to the breath detection device 300.

[0029] The communication unit 200 may periodically start and stop. For example, if the mobile unit 400 is not started, the communication unit 200 may periodically start and stop. The communication unit 200 may check for result requests from external devices each time it starts up. This operation can reduce power consumption by the communication unit 200.

[0030] The detection unit 100 may detect alcohol when the communication unit 200 receives a result request. The communication unit 200 may start the detection unit 100 when it receives a result request. Starting the detection unit 100 means starting to supply power to the detection unit 100 from the power supply unit 230, etc. In other examples, the detection unit 100 may detect alcohol at a predetermined timing. For example, the detection unit 100 may detect alcohol at a predetermined interval. The detection unit 100 may start and stop each time it detects alcohol. The detection unit 100 may remain running while the mobile unit 400 is running. In this case, it is not necessary to wait for the detection unit 100 to stabilize after starting up before detecting alcohol.

[0031] The result storage unit 210 stores the detection results from the detection unit 100. The communication unit 200 may transmit the detection results stored in the result storage unit 210 to an external device. The result storage unit 210 may store each detection result in association with additional information acquired by the information acquisition unit 220. The additional information includes the time the detection unit 100 acquired the detection result, the position information of the mobile body 400 when the detection unit 100 acquired the detection result, the speed information of the mobile body 400 when the detection unit 100 acquired the detection result, and at least a part of the information regarding the occupants of the mobile body 400 when the detection unit 100 acquired the detection result. Information regarding the occupants may be information for identifying the occupants. For example, information regarding the occupants may be an image including the occupants' faces. The breath detection device 300 may acquire an image of the face of the occupants sitting in the cockpit when the detection unit 100 detects alcohol. Information regarding the occupants may be identification information such as the occupants' names determined from the image.

[0032] The communication unit 200 may extract detection results corresponding to the received result request from the result storage unit 210 based on additional information. For example, the result request may specify the acquisition time of the detection result. The communication unit 200 may extract the detection result whose acquisition time included in the additional information is closest to the acquisition time specified in the result request and transmit it to an external device. The result request may specify at least one of the above-mentioned acquisition time, range of location information, range of speed information, or information about the occupants. The communication unit 200 may extract the additional information closest to the information specified in the result request, or additional information included in the range specified in the result request, and transmit the corresponding detection result. This makes it possible to specify and obtain the necessary detection results from an external source.

[0033] The communication unit 200 may transmit the detection results and additional information stored in the result storage unit 210 to an external device in association with each other. This allows the external device to acquire the detection results and additional information in association and analyze the circumstances at the time the detection results were acquired. For example, when a detection result exceeding the alcohol concentration standard is acquired, information regarding the driver, information regarding the speed of the mobile object 400, and information regarding the location of the mobile object 400 can be acquired to analyze in detail the nature of the driver's traffic rule violation. The external device may display the location of the mobile object 400 in a state of drunk driving on a map. This makes it easier to enforce traffic rule violations.

[0034] The communication unit 200 may transmit corresponding additional information in association with the detection result if the detection result stored in the result storage unit 210 satisfies pre-set conditions. For example, if the alcohol concentration indicated by the detection result is above the standard value, the communication unit 200 may transmit the additional information in association with the detection result to an external device. If the alcohol concentration indicated by the detection result is below the standard value, the communication unit 200 may transmit only the detection result to the external device without including the additional information. This helps to prevent the leakage of personal information contained in the additional information.

[0035] The communication unit 200 may transmit the detection result to an external device if that device is capable of receiving the detection result. The external device that should receive the detection result may be the external device that sent the result request, or it may be any other external device. For example, consider a case where the mobile body 400 is in motion and receives a result request from any external device, activates the detection unit 100 to obtain the detection result, and transmits the detection result to the external device. At the time of transmission of the detection result, the mobile body 400 may have moved outside the communication range with the external device. In such a case, the result storage unit 210 stores the detection result and the result request in association.

[0036] The communication unit 200 transmits the detection result stored in the result storage unit 210 to the other external device, provided that the mobile device 400 has moved to a range where it can communicate with that other external device that is cooperating with the external device. The communication unit 200 may transmit the detection result and the result request in association. The other external device is an external device capable of receiving the detection result corresponding to the result request. The other external device may transmit the detection result and the result request to, for example, a management server. The communication unit 200 may transmit the detection result and the result request in association again when the mobile device 400 has moved again to a range where it can communicate with the external device that sent the result request. The external device may be, for example, a speed detector, a traffic light, or other device. The external device that sent the result request and the external device that receives the detection result may be devices with the same function or devices with different functions. For example, a speed detector may send a result request, and a traffic light located in a different location may receive the detection result. This processing allows detection results to be acquired and transmitted in response to requests from external devices, even when the mobile device 400 is moving at high speed.

[0037] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing another configuration example of the breath detection device 300. The breath detection device 300 in this example further includes a notification unit 240 compared to the breath detection device 300 in the other examples. The configuration other than the notification unit 240 is the same as that of any of the breath detection devices 300 described herein.

[0038] The notification unit 240 notifies the occupant of the mobile unit 400 that the communication unit 200 has transmitted the detection result to an external device. The notification unit 240 may display the notification on a display unit provided on the mobile unit 400, or may output the notification to an audio device provided on the mobile unit 400. The notification unit 240 may also transmit the notification to a device such as a mobile terminal or wearable terminal of an occupant that has been registered in advance.

[0039] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing another example configuration of the breath detection device 300. The breath detection device 300 in this example further includes an information determination unit 250 compared to the breath detection device 300 in the other examples. The configuration other than the information determination unit 250 is the same as that of any of the breath detection devices 300 described herein.

[0040] In this example, the information acquisition unit 220 acquires additional information indicating the open / closed state of the window 450 when the detection unit 100 acquires the detection result, in association with the said detection result. The open / closed state may be, for example, information indicating how far the window 450 is open. The open / closed state may be acquired from a control unit that controls the opening and closing of the window 450. If the opening and closing of the window 450 is controlled by an electrical signal, the open / closed state can be generated based on the said electrical signal. If the opening and closing of the window 450 is controlled manually, the mobile body 400 may be equipped with a position sensor that detects the open / closed state by detecting the end position of the window 450, etc.

[0041] The information determination unit 250 determines whether the open / closed state of the window 450 included in the additional information satisfies predetermined conditions. For example, the information determination unit 250 determines whether the area of ​​the open window 450 is below a standard value. This standard value may be half or less of the maximum area that the window 450 can open, one-quarter or less, or even zero. In other words, the information determination unit 250 may determine whether the window 450 is closed or not.

[0042] If the window 450 is open, the accuracy of the alcohol detection result by the breath detection device 300 may deteriorate. In this example, the communication unit 200 transmits the corresponding detection result to an external device when the additional information satisfies predetermined conditions. The communication unit 200 does not need to transmit the corresponding detection result to an external device if the additional information does not satisfy predetermined conditions. This prevents the transmission of inaccurate detection results to an external device. The communication unit 200 may also transmit judgment information along with the detection result, depending on whether the additional information satisfies the conditions. This judgment information may, for example, be information indicating that the accuracy of the corresponding alcohol detection result is low.

[0043] The information determination unit 250 may determine whether additional information other than the open / closed state of the window 450 satisfies predetermined conditions. The information determination unit 250 may determine whether the movement speed of the mobile body 400 is above a predetermined value. If the communication unit 200 determines that the window 450 is open and the movement speed of the mobile body 400 is above a predetermined value, it does not need to transmit the corresponding detection result to an external device. The information determination unit 250 may also determine whether the operation information of the air conditioner satisfies predetermined conditions. For example, the operation information may include the airflow direction, temperature, strength, internal air circulation, outside air intake, and the start or stop status and strength of the seat ventilation.

[0044] The result storage unit 210 may store the detection results in association with the determination results made by the information determination unit 250. When the communication unit 200 receives a result request, it may extract the most recent detection result from among the detection results that the information determination unit 250 has determined to satisfy the conditions and transmit it to an external device. In another example, the result storage unit 210 may store only the detection results detected by the detection unit 100 that the information determination unit 250 has determined to satisfy the conditions.

[0045] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the detection unit 100. The detection unit 100 comprises a component detection unit 110, a calibration information generation unit 140, and a result correction unit 150. The detection unit 100 may further include an air intake port 102.

[0046] The component detection unit 110 detects detection information indicating the concentration of alcohol and carbon dioxide contained in the breath. The component detection unit 110 may detect detection information indicating the alcohol concentration and detection information indicating the carbon dioxide concentration. Each piece of detection information is a signal whose value changes according to the magnitude of the concentration of each target component (alcohol and carbon dioxide in this example) contained in the breath. For example, the detection information is a signal whose value corresponds to the intensity of light passing through the gas containing the breath at the wavelength corresponding to each target component. The intensity of the light is attenuated according to the concentration of each target component contained in the breath. The detection information may be a signal obtained by converting the light signal into an electrical signal, or a signal obtained by performing a predetermined signal processing on the electrical signal. The detection information may include the concentration values ​​of each target component themselves.

[0047] The component detection unit 110 in this example includes a carbon dioxide concentration measuring unit 120 and an alcohol concentration measuring unit 130. The carbon dioxide concentration measuring unit 120 outputs detection information corresponding to the concentration (ppm) of carbon dioxide contained in the air in the cockpit 440, which is introduced to the component detection unit 110 via the air intake 102. The carbon dioxide concentration measuring unit 120 is, for example, a photoacoustic sensor, a solid electrolyte sensor, or a non-dispersive infrared absorption (NDIR) sensor, but is not limited to these.

[0048] The alcohol concentration measuring unit 130 outputs detection information corresponding to the alcohol concentration (ppm) in the air contained in the cockpit 440, which is introduced to the component detection unit 110 via the air intake 102. The alcohol concentration measuring unit 130 is, for example, an electrochemical (fuel cell type) sensor, a non-dispersive infrared absorption (NDIR) sensor, or a photoacoustic sensor, but is not limited to these. In the case of an electrochemical sensor, for example, it detects the electric current generated by the alcohol contained in the air.

[0049] The calibration information generation unit 140 generates calibration information for calibrating the carbon dioxide concentration based on the carbon dioxide detection information detected multiple times by the component detection unit 110. The calibration information is information that converts the value of each detection information into the concentration of each target component. The calibration information may be a calibration curve that shows the relationship between the value of the detection information and the concentration of the target component. If the detection information includes the concentration value of each target component itself, the calibration information may be information that corrects the concentration value in the detection information. In this specification, the concentration calculated from the value of the detection information using the calibration information may be referred to as the calibration concentration. For example, the calibration information may include a gain value that is multiplied by the value of the detection information to calculate the calibration concentration, a function that calculates the calibration concentration with the value of the detection information as a variable, and a table that associates the value of the detection information with the calibration concentration.

[0050] The calibration information generation unit 140 may have initial values ​​for calibration information pre-set. These initial values ​​for calibration information may be set by the manufacturer or user of the breath detection device 300. The calibration information generation unit 140 may update the calibration information based on carbon dioxide detection information detected multiple times by the component detection unit 110. In this specification, updating calibration information may be referred to as generating calibration information.

[0051] The measurement accuracy of the carbon dioxide concentration measuring unit 120 may change over time. For example, in an NDIR type sensor, the characteristics of the light source, light guide, or light-receiving element change over time, causing a shift in the detection information value generated by the light-receiving element even when measuring the same concentration of carbon dioxide. Therefore, even when measuring the same concentration of carbon dioxide, a shift in the calibration concentration after calibration occurs. The calibration information generation unit 140 generates or updates calibration information so that the shift in the calibration concentration after calibration is minimized, even when the detection information value for the same concentration of carbon dioxide changes over time.

[0052] If the difference in calibration concentration for predetermined detection information before and after updating calibration information exceeds a reference value, the breath detection device 300 may be malfunctioning, and therefore the breath detection device 300 may perform an exception. The reference value may be 500 ppm, 100 ppm, or any other value. The exception may be correcting the calibration information so that the difference is less than or equal to the reference value, reacquiring the calibration information, or notifying the operator of the abnormal condition.

[0053] The calibration information generation unit 140 may extract the detection information with the smallest corresponding concentration from among the multiple carbon dioxide detection information. In this specification, the relative magnitude relationship of corresponding concentrations may be described as the relative magnitude relationship of detection information. For example, the detection information with the smallest corresponding concentration among multiple detection information may be referred to as the smallest detection information. The calibration information generation unit 140 may adjust the calibration information described above so that the smallest detection information is converted to a preset reference concentration. The adjustment of the calibration information may be an adjustment of the gain value described above, an adjustment of each coefficient of the function, or an update of the table. For example, the calibration information generation unit 140 may calculate the gain value by dividing the reference concentration by the concentration corresponding to the smallest detection information. The reference concentration corresponds to, for example, the average carbon dioxide concentration in the outside air. The reference concentration may be 400 ppm, or it may be another value.

[0054] The calibration information generation unit 140 may generate calibration information using multiple detection data measured within the most recent reference period from among previously measured detection data. This reference period may be set in advance by the manufacturer or user of the breath detection device 300. This reference period may be one week or longer, two weeks or longer, or one month or longer. The reference period may be six months or less, or two months or less.

[0055] The carbon dioxide concentration in the cockpit 440 fluctuates due to the exhalation of the pilot or passenger. On the other hand, the carbon dioxide concentration in the cockpit 440 can never be lower than the carbon dioxide concentration in the outside air. Therefore, it can be assumed that smaller detection values ​​are results measured under conditions closer to the carbon dioxide concentration in the outside air. For this reason, by adjusting the calibration information so that the smallest detection value among multiple detection values ​​is converted to the reference concentration, relatively accurate calibration information can be generated.

[0056] The number of detection information items used to generate calibration information may be 10 or more, 100 or more, or 1000 or more. The method for creating calibration information is not limited to this method. The calibration information generation unit 140 may use statistical values ​​of multiple detection information items selected in order from smallest to largest. Statistical values ​​are information obtained by statistically processing multiple detection information items, and statistical processing may involve generating at least one of the following: mean, maximum, minimum, variance, moment, and histogram.

[0057] The result correction unit 150 corrects the alcohol detection result based on the calibration concentration of carbon dioxide calibrated using calibration information. The alcohol detection result is, for example, the alcohol concentration. The result correction unit 150 corrects the alcohol concentration of the object being measured by the calibration concentration of carbon dioxide measured in parallel with the alcohol concentration.

[0058] For example, the result correction unit 150 calculates the dilution of the air that reaches the component detection unit 110 based on the calibration concentration of carbon dioxide. The dilution is an indicator of how much the operator's exhaled breath is diluted from the operator to the component detection unit 110. The dilution may be a value obtained by dividing a preset standard concentration of carbon dioxide by the calibration concentration of carbon dioxide. The standard concentration of carbon dioxide may be the average value of the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the exhaled breath of an adult, or it may be a value measured from the operator's exhaled breath. The standard concentration of carbon dioxide may be a value in the range of, for example, 1% to 9%. The standard concentration of carbon dioxide may be, for example, 3%. The standard concentration of carbon dioxide may be set by the manufacturer or user of the detection unit 100.

[0059] The result correction unit 150 may calculate the corrected alcohol concentration by multiplying the alcohol concentration by the dilution ratio described above. For example, if the dilution ratio is calculated to be 150 times based on the calibration concentration of carbon dioxide, the result correction unit 150 calculates the corrected alcohol concentration by multiplying the alcohol concentration by 150. This allows the concentration of alcohol contained in the pilot's breath to be estimated. In another example, the result correction unit 150 may correct the threshold concentration compared with the alcohol concentration based on the dilution ratio. For example, if the dilution ratio is 150 times, the result correction unit 150 may correct the alcohol detection result by dividing the threshold concentration by 150.

[0060] In this example, the detection unit 100 calculates the degree of dilution of the air measured by the component detection unit 110 relative to the pilot's breath from the carbon dioxide concentration and corrects the alcohol detection result. Therefore, the pilot's breath does not need to be directly blown onto the component detection unit 110. In this example, the detection unit 100 can measure the pilot's alcohol concentration even when the pilot does not intend to measure their alcohol concentration. Furthermore, since calibration information for the carbon dioxide concentration is generated based on the carbon dioxide concentration measured multiple times inside the cockpit 440 (detection information in this example), the characteristics of the component detection unit 110 can be corrected over time, allowing for accurate calculation of the degree of dilution and accurate measurement of the alcohol concentration.

[0061] In this example, the component detection unit 110 for detecting alcohol in exhaled breath is described as detecting detection information indicating the concentration of alcohol and carbon dioxide in the exhaled breath. In other examples, the component detection unit 110 may be configured to detect detection information indicating the concentration of alcohol and the concentration of oxygen. The detection unit 100 may use the concentration of oxygen instead of the concentration of carbon dioxide in calculating the dilution. In this case, carbon dioxide in this specification may be read as oxygen. For example, the detection unit 100 may assume that the average oxygen concentration in the atmosphere is 21%, perform calibration based on this average oxygen concentration, and calculate the dilution ratio of the exhaled breath based on the calibration concentration of oxygen. In yet another example, the component detection unit 110 may detect detection information indicating the concentration of alcohol, the concentration of carbon dioxide, and the concentration of oxygen in the exhaled breath. In this case, the component detection unit 110 has an alcohol concentration measuring unit, a carbon dioxide concentration measuring unit, and an oxygen concentration measuring unit. The component detection unit 110 may calculate the exhaled breath dilution based on a first dilution calculated based on the carbon dioxide concentration and a second dilution calculated based on the oxygen concentration. For example, the detection unit 100 may use the average value of the first and second dilutions as the exhaled breath dilution. By combining carbon dioxide concentration measurement and oxygen concentration measurement, an even more accurate exhaled breath dilution ratio can be calculated.

[0062] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It will be clear from the claims that such modified or improved forms may also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0063] It should be noted that the execution order of operations, procedures, steps, and stages in the apparatus, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is not explicitly stated as "before," "prior to," etc., and that these can be implemented in any order unless the output of a previous process is used in a later process. Even if the operation flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is described using phrases such as "first," "next," etc. for convenience, it does not mean that it is essential to perform the operations in that order. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0064] 100...Detection unit, 102...Air intake, 110...Component detection unit, 120...Carbon dioxide concentration measurement unit, 130...Alcohol concentration measurement unit, 140...Calibration information generation unit, 150...Result correction unit, 200...Communication unit, 210...Result storage unit, 220...Information acquisition unit, 230...Power supply unit, 240...Notification unit, 250...Information determination unit, 300...Breath detection device, 400...Mobile unit, 410...Mobile unit housing, 420...Power unit, 430...Energy storage unit, 440...Control room, 450...Window, 460...Door

Claims

1. A breath detection device for detecting alcohol in the breath of a mobile vehicle's cockpit, The detection unit for detecting the aforementioned alcohol, A communication unit that communicates with external devices of the aforementioned mobile body. Equipped with, The communication unit receives a result request from the external device and transmits the detection result from the detection unit to the external device in response to the result request. Breath detection device.

2. The detection unit performs the alcohol detection when the communication unit receives the result request. The breath detection device according to claim 1.

3. When the communication unit receives the result request, it activates the detection unit. The breath detection device according to claim 2.

4. The system further includes a result storage unit that stores the detection result from the detection unit in association with additional information including the time the detection result was acquired, the position information of the moving body at the time the detection result was acquired, the speed information of the moving body at the time the detection result was acquired, and at least a portion of the information regarding the occupants of the moving body at the time the detection result was acquired. The communication unit transmits the detection result and the additional information in association. A breath detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The communication unit transmits the additional information in association with the detection result when the detection result satisfies the conditions set in advance. The breath detection device according to claim 4.

6. The mobile unit further comprises a power supply unit that supplies power to the communication unit when the power unit of the mobile unit is not activated. A breath detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. The mobile body further comprises a notification unit that notifies the occupant of the mobile body that the communication unit has transmitted the detection result. A breath detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. The system further comprises a result storage unit that stores the detection results obtained by the detection unit, The communication unit transmits the detection result to the external device if the external device is able to receive the detection result. A breath detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. The result storage unit stores the detection result and the result request in association, The communication unit transmits the corresponding detection result to the external device if the external device corresponding to the result request is able to receive the detection result. The breath detection device according to claim 8.

10. The communication unit transmits the detection result to the external device that sent the result request. A breath detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

11. The aforementioned mobile body is equipped with an openable and closable window, The system further includes an information acquisition unit that acquires additional information indicating the open / closed state of the window in association with the detection result, The communication unit transmits the corresponding detection result when the additional information satisfies predetermined conditions. A breath detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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