Breath detection device, breath detection method, and breath detection program

Abstract

The present invention provides a breath detection device installed in the cockpit of a mobile vehicle, comprising a breath detection unit that detects breath when the operator of the mobile vehicle is not in contact with it, and a notification unit that notifies the operator of instructions, wherein the breath detection unit detects breath before the notification unit notifies instructions, and the notification unit notifies the operator of instructions based on the breath detection result by the breath detection unit. The breath detection unit may be housed in a detection housing fixed to the mobile vehicle. The detection housing may have an air intake port through which breath passes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an exhalation detection device, an exhalation detection method, and an exhalation detection program.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes that "in a vehicle driving support device and system, driving support for a driver is performed according to the state of the driver such as a tendency of decrease in the driver's wakefulness." [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-219760

Summary of the Invention

[0003] In a first aspect of the present invention, an exhalation detection device is provided. The exhalation detection device is provided in a cockpit of a moving body. The exhalation detection device includes an exhalation detection unit that detects exhalation in a state where the operator of the moving body is not in contact, and a notification unit that notifies an instruction to the operator. The exhalation detection unit detects exhalation before the notification unit notifies the instruction. The notification unit notifies an instruction to the operator based on the detection result of exhalation by the exhalation detection unit.

[0004] The exhalation detection unit may be housed in a detection housing fixed to the moving body. The detection housing may have an intake port through which exhalation passes.

[0005] In any of the above exhalation detection devices, exhalation may be introduced into the detection housing through the intake port for a certain period of time. The exhalation detection unit may detect exhalation based on the carbon dioxide concentration in the internal space of the detection housing.

[0006] In any of the above exhalation detection devices, the exhalation detection unit may be housed in the detection housing. The detection housing may have a blower unit that sends the air in the cockpit to the exhalation detection unit.

[0007] In any of the above breath detection devices, the breath detection unit may detect alcohol contained in the breath. The notification unit may notify the operator of instructions based on the alcohol detection result in the breath.

[0008] In any of the above breath detection devices, the moving body may have a position information acquisition unit that acquires the position of the moving body. The breath detection unit may determine the relationship between the alcohol concentration in the breath and a reference value for alcohol concentration at the position. The notification unit may notify the operator of instructions based on the relationship between the alcohol concentration in the breath and the reference value.

[0009] In any of the above breath detection devices, the mobile unit may have a weight acquisition unit that acquires the operator's weight. The breath detection unit may correct the alcohol concentration based on the weight. The notification unit may notify the operator of instructions based on the corrected alcohol concentration.

[0010] In any of the above breath detection devices, the mobile unit may have an imaging unit that images the operator. The breath detection unit may correct the alcohol concentration based on the weight and the image captured by the imaging unit. The notification unit may notify the operator of instructions based on the corrected alcohol concentration.

[0011] In any of the above breath detection devices, the mobile unit may have a temperature acquisition unit that acquires the operator's temperature. The notification unit may notify the operator of instructions based on the alcohol detection result and the temperature.

[0012] In any of the above breath detection devices, the mobile body may have a movement state detection unit that detects the movement state of the mobile body. The notification unit may notify the operator of instructions based on the movement state and the alcohol detection result.

[0013] In any of the above breath detection devices, the breath detection unit may detect organic gases other than alcohol. The notification unit may provide instructions based on the concentration of the organic gas.

[0014] In any of the above breath detection devices, the cockpit may have an openable and closable window. The mobile unit may have an open / closed information acquisition unit that acquires information on the opening and closing of the window. The notification unit may notify the operator of instructions regarding window operation based on the breath detection result and the open / closed information.

[0015] Any of the above-described breath detection devices may further include a control information generation unit that generates control information for controlling equipment installed on a mobile device based on the breath detection result by the breath detection unit, and a transmission unit that transmits the control information to the equipment.

[0016] In any of the above-described breath detection devices, after the transmitting unit has transmitted control information to the device, the notification unit may further notify the device of additional information for controlling the device based on other breath detection results.

[0017] In any of the above-described breath detection devices, the breath detection unit may detect the interval between breaths and acquire the rate of change in the amount of breath. The control information generation unit may generate multiple different pieces of control information based on multiple different combinations of the interval between breaths and the rate of change in the amount of breath.

[0018] In any of the above-described breath detection devices, the moving body may be a power unit which is a device and has a power unit that generates power to move the moving body. The control information may be information that controls the power unit.

[0019] In any of the above breath detection devices, the breath detection unit may detect alcohol contained in the breath. If the concentration of alcohol in the breath is above a threshold, the control information generation unit may generate control information to stop the power unit. The transmission unit may transmit the control information to stop the power unit to the power unit.

[0020] A second aspect of the present invention provides a breath detection device. The breath detection device is installed in the cockpit of a mobile vehicle. The breath detection device comprises a breath detection unit that detects the breath of the operator of the mobile vehicle when the operator is not in contact with it, a control information generation unit that generates control information to control equipment installed on the mobile vehicle based on the breath detection result by the breath detection unit, and a transmission unit that transmits the control information to the equipment. The breath detection unit is housed in a detection housing fixed to the mobile vehicle. The detection housing has an air intake port through which the breath passes. The breath detection unit detects the breath that has passed through the air intake port.

[0021] In any of the above-described breath detection devices, the breath detection unit may detect the interval between breaths and acquire the rate of change in the amount of breath. The control information generation unit may generate a plurality of different control information based on the interval between breaths and the rate of change in the amount of breath.

[0022] In any of the above-described breath detection devices, the moving body may be a power unit which is a device and has a power unit that generates power to move the moving body. The control information may be information that controls the power unit.

[0023] A third aspect of the present invention provides a breath detection method. The breath detection method is a breath detection method using a breath detection device comprising a breath detection unit and a notification unit. The breath detection device is installed in the cockpit of a mobile vehicle. The breath detection method comprises a breath detection step in which the breath detection unit detects the breath of the operator of the mobile vehicle without contact with the operator, and a notification step in which the notification unit notifies the operator of an instruction. The breath detection step is a step in which the breath detection unit detects breath before the notification unit notifies the operator of an instruction. The notification step is a step in which the notification unit notifies the operator of an instruction based on the breath detection result by the breath detection unit.

[0024] A fourth embodiment of the present invention provides a breath detection program. The breath detection program causes a computer to perform a breath detection method.

[0025] Note that the above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the features of the present invention. Also, sub - combinations of these feature groups can also be inventions.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram showing an example of a mobile body 400 equipped with an exhalation detection device 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram showing an example of an exhalation detection device 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing an example of a detection housing 106. [Figure 4] It is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an exhalation detection unit 10. [Figure 5] It is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the mobile body 400. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the measured value of blood alcohol concentration and the alcohol concentration measured by the exhalation detection unit 10. [Figure 7] It is a block diagram showing another example of an exhalation detection device 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence relationship between the exhalation interval and the control information. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence relationship between the change rate of exhalation volume and the control information. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence relationship between the exhalation interval, the change rate of exhalation volume, and the control information. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence relationship between the exhalation interval, the change rate of exhalation volume, and the control information. [Figure 12] It is a flowchart showing an example of an exhalation detection method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] It shows an example of a computer 1200 in which multiple aspects of the present invention may be embodied in whole or in part.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] The mobile body 400 includes a cockpit 440 in which an operator 470 who controls the mobile body 400 sits. The cockpit 440 may have space for passengers other than the operator 470. The cockpit 440 is a space in which control equipment for the mobile body 400, such as a steering wheel in an automobile, is installed. In this example, the cockpit 440 is a space enclosed by the mobile body housing 410 of the mobile body 400. The mobile body housing 410 includes, for example, the body of an automobile. The mobile body housing 410 may include at least 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 body housing 410 may have other openable and closable parts besides the windows 450 and doors 460.

[0030] The breath detection device 300 is installed in the cockpit 440. The breath detection device 300 detects exhalation in the cockpit 440. The breath detection device 300 may detect the exhalation of the pilot 470, or it may detect the exhalation of a passenger. The breath detection device 300 may be a device capable of detecting exhalation without requiring operation of equipment by the pilot 470 or other crew members, or any action such as intentionally blowing breath onto the device by the crew members. Part or all of the breath detection device 300 is installed in the cockpit 440.

[0031] 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. If the detected alcohol concentration exceeds an acceptable range, the breath detection device 300 may prohibit the operator 470 from operating the mobile unit 400. If the detected alcohol concentration exceeds an acceptable range, the breath detection device 300 may notify the operator 470 of an alarm including that fact, and may also notify the operator to remeasure the alcohol concentration.

[0032] The mobile body 400 in this example comprises a power unit 420 and an energy storage unit 430. The power unit 420 generates power to move the mobile body 400. The power unit 420 may be, for example, an internal combustion engine that generates power by burning fuel. The power unit 420 may also be, for example, an electric motor that rotates according to the power. The breath detection device 300 may stop the power generation by the power unit 420 if the detected alcohol concentration exceeds an acceptable range.

[0033] The power storage unit 430 stores electricity. The power storage unit 430 may supply the stored electricity to the equipment of the mobile unit 400. The power storage unit 430 may supply power to the power unit 420, to the breath detection device 300, and to other equipment such as the air conditioner that adjusts the temperature of the cockpit 440 and the notification unit 20 that notifies the operator 470 of instructions. The breath detection device 300 may stop the power supply from the power storage unit 430 if the detected alcohol concentration exceeds an acceptable range.

[0034] The breath detection device 300 detects breath when the operator 470 is not in contact with the breath detection unit 10 (described later). "When the operator 470 is not in contact" means that the operator 470 is not in contact with the breath detection unit 10 (described later) or the detection housing 106 (described later) in which the breath detection unit 10 (described later) is housed. The breath detection device 300 is passive. A passive breath detection device 300 can detect breath without the operator 470 intentionally blowing air into it.

[0035] The active breath detection device detects exhaled breath when the operator 470 is in contact with the breath detection unit 10 (described later) or the detection housing 106 (described later) in which the breath detection unit 10 (described later) is housed. The active breath detection device has a tube into which the operator blows air. The operator 470 blows exhaled breath into the tube while in contact with the detection housing 106 (described later) or the tube. The active breath detection device can detect exhaled breath when the operator 470 intentionally blows exhaled breath into it.

[0036] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a breath detection device 300 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The breath detection device 300 comprises a breath detection unit 10 and a notification unit 20. The breath detection device 300 may also include a storage unit 50, a control unit 60, an information acquisition unit 70, and a discrimination unit 80.

[0037] The notification unit 20 is, for example, a display, monitor, etc. The notification unit 20 may be provided on the instrument panel of the mobile unit 400. The notification unit 20 may also be the navigation screen of the mobile unit 400. The notification unit 20 may also be a head-up display projected onto the windshield of the mobile unit 400.

[0038] Part or all of the breath detection device 300 may be implemented by a computer. The control unit 60 may be the CPU (Central Processing Unit) of the computer. When the breath detection device 300 is implemented by a computer, the computer may have an information processing program installed to make the computer function as the breath detection device 300, and may also have an information processing program installed to execute the information processing method described later.

[0039] The breath detection unit 10 detects exhalation when the operator 470 of the mobile body 400 is not in contact with it. The breath detection unit 10 may detect the exhalation of the operator 470. The notification unit 20 notifies the operator 470 of instructions. The notification unit 20 may notify the operator 470 of information to assist in measuring the exhalation. For example, if the breath detection device 300 generates a breath detection error, the notification unit 20 notifies the operator 470 of instructions on how to exhale correctly to measure the exhalation.

[0040] The breath detection unit 10 detects exhalation before the notification unit 20 notifies the operator 470 of an instruction. As described above, the breath detection device 300 is passive. Therefore, the breath detection unit 10 detects exhalation that the operator 470 has not intentionally blown into before the notification unit 20 notifies the operator 470 of an instruction. However, since the operator 470 does not intentionally blow exhalation, the breath detection device 300 may generate a breath detection error or the like.

[0041] The notification unit 20 notifies the operator 470 of instructions based on the breath detection result by the breath detection unit 10. For example, if the detection result by the breath detection unit 10 is an error, the notification unit 20 notifies the operator 470 of instructions on how to breathe correctly to measure the breath. This allows the operator 470 to blow their breath in the guided manner.

[0042] Figure 3 shows an example of a detection housing 106. In this example, the detection housing 106 is a box-shaped housing. The detection housing 106 is fixed to the mobile body 400. The detection housing 106 is fixed to the mobile body housing 410. The detection housing 106 may be fixed to the cockpit 440 of the mobile body 400. The detection housing 106 may be fixed to the dashboard of the mobile body 400, or to the steering wheel of the mobile body 400. The breath detection unit 10 may be housed in the detection housing 106. In this example, the breath detection unit 10 is housed in the internal space 103 of the detection housing 106.

[0043] The detection housing 106 has an air intake port 102. Exhaled air passes through the air intake port 102. The exhaled air detection unit 10 may detect the exhaled air that has passed through the air intake port 102. The detection housing 106 may have a blower unit 104. In this example, the blower unit 104 is housed in the internal space 103. The blower unit 104 may be positioned opposite the air intake port 102. The blower unit 104 may be located inside the detection housing 106 or outside. In this example, the blower unit 104 is located between the air intake port 102 and the exhaled air detection unit 10. The blower unit 104 sends air from the cockpit 440 to the exhaled air detection unit 10. When the blower unit 104 is driven, it takes in air from the cockpit 440 through the air intake port 102 and blows it towards the exhaled air detection unit 10. This makes it easier for the breath detection unit 10 to detect breath that the operator 470 is not intentionally blowing into.

[0044] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the breath detection unit 10. In Figure 4, the air blower unit 104 shown in Figure 3 is omitted. The breath detection unit 10 may include a component detection unit 110, a calibration information generation unit 140, and a result correction unit 150.

[0045] The component detection unit 110 detects 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.

[0046] The component detection unit 110 in this example includes a carbon dioxide concentration measuring unit 120 and an alcohol concentration measuring unit 130. Air from the cockpit 440 is introduced to the component detection unit 110 via the air intake 102. The carbon dioxide concentration measuring unit 120 outputs detection information corresponding to the concentration (ppm) of carbon dioxide contained in the air. The carbon dioxide concentration measuring unit 120 is, for example, a non-dispersive infrared absorption (NDIR) sensor.

[0047] The alcohol concentration measuring unit 130 outputs detection information corresponding to the alcohol concentration (ppm) in the air of the cockpit 440. The alcohol concentration measuring unit 130 is, for example, an electrochemical (fuel cell) sensor. An electrochemical sensor detects, for example, the electric current generated by the alcohol contained in the air.

[0048] 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.

[0049] The calibration information generation unit 140 may have reference calibration information pre-set. This 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 the calibration information may be referred to as generating the calibration information.

[0050] 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.

[0051] The carbon dioxide concentration in the cockpit 440 can fluctuate due to the exhalation of the pilot 470 or passengers. On the other hand, the carbon dioxide concentration in the cockpit 440 will never be lower than the carbon dioxide concentration outside the cockpit 440. Therefore, smaller detection values ​​can be estimated to be results measured under conditions closer to the outside air carbon dioxide concentration. For this reason, by adjusting the configuration information so that the smallest detection value among multiple detection values ​​is converted to a reference concentration, relatively accurate calibration information can be generated.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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 exhaled breath of the operator 470 is diluted from the operator 470 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 exhaled breath of the operator 470. The standard concentration of carbon dioxide may be, for example, a value in the range of 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 exhaled breath detection unit 10.

[0054] The result correction unit 150 may calculate the corrected alcohol concentration by multiplying the detected 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 detected alcohol concentration by 150. This allows the concentration of alcohol contained in the breath of the pilot 470 to be estimated. In another example, the result correction unit 150 may correct the threshold concentration compared with the detected 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.

[0055] In this example, the breath detection unit 10 calculates the degree of dilution of the air measured by the component detection unit 110 to the breath of the pilot 470 from the carbon dioxide concentration and corrects the alcohol detection result. Therefore, the breath detection unit 110 does not need to be directly exposed to the breath of the pilot 470. In this example, the breath detection unit 10 can measure the alcohol concentration of the pilot 470 even when the pilot 470 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 dilution degree and accurate measurement of the alcohol concentration.

[0056] Exhaled air may be introduced into the detection housing 106 through the intake port 102 for a certain period of time. This certain period of time may be predetermined. This period may be 0.5 seconds or more and 2 seconds or less, or 1 second or more and 1.5 seconds or less. Exhaled air may be introduced into the detection housing 106 continuously for a certain period of time.

[0057] When exhaled air is introduced into the detection housing 106 for a certain period of time, the exhaled air detection unit 10 may detect the exhaled air based on the carbon dioxide concentration in the internal space 103 of the detection housing 106. When exhaled air is introduced into the detection housing 106 for a certain period of time, the carbon dioxide concentration in the internal space 103 reflects the total amount of carbon dioxide introduced into the detection housing 106 for that period of time. Therefore, the exhaled air detection unit 10 can more easily detect the gas introduced into the internal space 103 through the air intake port 102 as exhaled air.

[0058] The exhalation detection unit 10 may detect as exhalation gas if the carbon dioxide concentration in the internal space 103 is greater than a first threshold, and the gas introduced into the internal space 103 through the air intake port 102 for a certain period of time. The notification unit 20 may notify a message such as "Exhalation detected." The exhalation detection unit 10 does not need to detect as exhalation gas if the carbon dioxide concentration in the internal space 103 is less than or equal to a predetermined first threshold. The notification unit 20 may notify a message such as "Exhalation not detected. Please blow air into the device," "Please bring your face closer," or "If you are wearing a mask, please remove it."

[0059] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the mobile body 400. The mobile body 400 may have a power unit 420, a power storage unit 430, a position information acquisition unit 480, a weight acquisition unit 482, a temperature acquisition unit 484, an imaging unit 486, a movement state detection unit 488, an open / close information acquisition unit 490, and equipment 492. The position information acquisition unit 480, the imaging unit 486, the movement state detection unit 488, the open / close information acquisition unit 490, and equipment 492 may be provided on the mobile body housing 410. The weight acquisition unit 482 may be provided on the seat portion of the seat where the operator 470 sits. The temperature acquisition unit 484 and the imaging unit 486 may be provided on the mobile body housing 410 in front of the operator 470. The temperature acquisition unit 484 may be provided on a part of the handle that the operator 470's hands touch.

[0060] The breath detection unit 10 (see Figure 2) may detect alcohol contained in the breath. The notification unit 20 may notify the operator 470 of the alcohol detection result in the breath. The alcohol detection result may be the alcohol detection result corrected by the result correction unit 150.

[0061] The location information acquisition unit 480 acquires the location information of the mobile body 400. The location information acquisition unit 480 is, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System). The information acquisition unit 70 of the breath detection device 300 acquires the location acquired by the location information acquisition unit 480 of the mobile body 400. The information acquisition unit 70 may acquire this location wirelessly.

[0062] The breath detection unit 10 may determine the relative magnitude of the alcohol concentration in the breath and the alcohol standard value at the location acquired by the location information acquisition unit 480. The alcohol concentration standard for determining drunk driving may differ from country to country or region to region. The memory unit 50 (see Figure 2) may have the alcohol concentration standards for determining drunk driving pre-stored for each country or region. The breath detection unit 10 may acquire the alcohol concentration standard value at the location acquired by the location information acquisition unit 480 based on the alcohol concentration standards for each country or region stored in the memory unit 50. The breath detection unit 10 may determine the relative magnitude of the acquired alcohol concentration standard value and the detected alcohol concentration.

[0063] The notification unit 20 may notify the operator 470 of instructions based on the relationship between the alcohol concentration in the breath and the standard value of alcohol concentration at the location acquired by the location information acquisition unit 480. For example, if the alcohol concentration in the breath is above the standard value, the notification unit 20 will notify the operator 470 of a message such as "You may be driving under the influence of alcohol. Stop immediately." If the alcohol concentration in the breath is below the standard value, the notification unit 20 may notify the operator 470 of a message such as "You are not driving under the influence of alcohol," or it may not notify the operator of any message at all.

[0064] The temperature acquisition unit 484 acquires the temperature of the operator 470. If the operator 470 is a human, the temperature acquisition unit 484 acquires the human's body temperature. The temperature acquisition unit 484 is, for example, a thermographic camera. The temperature acquisition unit 484 may also be a contact-sensitive thermometer mounted on the handle of the mobile body 400.

[0065] The information acquisition unit 70 of the breath detection device 300 acquires the temperature acquired by the temperature acquisition unit 484 of the mobile body 400. The information acquisition unit 70 may acquire the temperature wirelessly. Human body temperature tends to rise when alcohol is consumed. A threshold body temperature for determining whether a person is intoxicated may be predetermined. This threshold body temperature is, for example, 37.0°C. If the body temperature is higher than the threshold body temperature, the person may be determined to be intoxicated.

[0066] The notification unit 20 notifies the operator 470 of instructions based on the alcohol detection result and the temperature acquired by the temperature acquisition unit 484. For example, if the breath detection unit 10 detects alcohol and the temperature acquired by the temperature acquisition unit 484 is above the body temperature threshold, the notification unit 20 notifies the operator 470 of a severe warning. A severe warning is, for example, a notification such as, "Stop the vehicle immediately." The notification unit 20 may also emit a warning sound along with the written notification.

[0067] For example, if the breath detection unit 10 does not detect alcohol and the temperature acquired by the temperature acquisition unit 484 is above the body temperature threshold, the notification unit 20 will notify the operator 470 of a mild warning. A person's body temperature can also rise due to poor health. Therefore, if the breath detection unit 10 does not detect alcohol and the temperature acquired by the temperature acquisition unit 484 is above the body temperature threshold, there is a possibility that the rise in body temperature is not caused by alcohol. In such cases, the notification unit 20 will notify the operator 470 of a mild warning. A mild warning is, for example, a notification such as, "You have a high body temperature. If you have been drinking, please stop the car."

[0068] The movement state detection unit 488 detects the movement state of the moving body 400. The movement state detection unit 488 is, for example, a speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, or an angular velocity sensor. The movement state detection unit 488 may detect whether the moving body 400 is moving or stopped. The movement state detection unit 488 may detect that the moving body 400 is moving if it is moving at a constant speed, or if it is accelerating or decelerating. The movement state detection unit 488 may be a position sensor, and may acquire the time change of position information and detect whether it is moving or stopped.

[0069] The information acquisition unit 70 of the breath detection device 300 acquires the movement status detected by the movement status detection unit 488 of the mobile body 400. The information acquisition unit 70 may acquire the movement status wirelessly. The notification unit 20 may notify the operator 470 of instructions based on the movement status detected by the movement status detection unit 488 and the alcohol detection result. For example, if the movement status is "moving" and alcohol is detected, the notification unit 20 will notify the operator 470 of a message such as "There is a possibility of drunk driving. Stop immediately," or "We will switch to driving assistance mode, so take your hands off the steering wheel." The notification unit 20 may also notify the breath alcohol concentration graphically. The notification unit 20 may also notify information to encourage accurate testing. Information to encourage accurate testing may include, for example, "There is a possibility of drunk driving. Bring your face closer and blow."

[0070] The notification unit 20 does not need to send any notification if the vehicle is in motion and does not detect alcohol. The notification unit 20 may send a message such as "Do not drive now. Please wait X hours" if the vehicle is stopped and alcohol is detected. X hours is, for example, the estimated time until the breath alcohol concentration reaches a level that does not constitute drunk driving. The notification unit 20 does not need to send any notification if the vehicle is stopped and does not detect alcohol.

[0071] The opening / closing information acquisition unit 490 acquires opening and closing information for the window 450. In the case of a power window type window where the window 450 closes by moving from bottom to top, the upper edge of the window 450 and the mobile housing 410 come into contact. A sensor may be provided on a part of the mobile housing 410 to detect the contact between the upper edge of the window 450 and the mobile housing 410. If the sensor detects contact, the opening / closing information acquisition unit 490 may acquire information that the window 450 is closed, and if the sensor does not detect contact, it may acquire information that the window 450 is open. The opening / closing information acquisition unit 490 may also acquire opening and closing information for the door 460.

[0072] The opening / closing information acquisition unit 490 may acquire opening / closing information of the window 450 based on the ratio of the area of ​​the window 450 exposed to the cockpit 440 to the area enclosed by the frame of the window 450. A threshold value may be predetermined for this ratio. For example, the threshold value may be 80%. If the ratio is 100%, the window 450 is completely closed. If the ratio is 0%, the window 450 is completely open. If the ratio is greater than or equal to the threshold value but less than 100%, the window 450 is not completely closed, but the opening / closing information acquisition unit 490 may acquire this state as a closed state.

[0073] The information acquisition unit 70 of the breath detection device 300 acquires the open / close information acquired by the open / close information acquisition unit 490 of the mobile body 400. The information acquisition unit 70 may acquire the open / close information wirelessly. The notification unit 20 may notify the operator 470 of instructions regarding the operation of the window 450 or door 460 based on the breath detection result and the open / close information. For example, if the breath detection unit 10 does not detect breath and the open / close information is open, the notification unit 20 notifies the operator 470 of an instruction prompting him to close the window 450 or door 460. If the window 450 or door 460 is open, outside air may flow into the cockpit 440. Therefore, the breath detection unit 10 may not be able to detect breath due to the outside air flowing into the cockpit 440. Therefore, the notification unit 20 notifies the operator 470 of an instruction prompting him to close the window 450. This makes it easier for the breath detection unit 10 to accurately detect the presence or absence of breath.

[0074] The breath detection unit 10 may detect organic gases other than alcohol. In the case of an NDIR sensor, the wavelength of infrared light absorbed depends on the type of gas. Therefore, if the carbon dioxide concentration measuring unit 120 (see Figure 4) of the component detection unit 110 is a non-dispersive infrared absorption (NDIR) sensor, the carbon dioxide concentration measuring unit 120 can measure concentrations of substances other than carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide concentration measuring unit 120 may detect organic gases other than alcohol. Examples of organic gases other than alcohol include volatile gases such as benzene, volatile gases such as gasoline, and gases from car air fresheners.

[0075] The notification unit 20 may notify the operator 470 of instructions based on the concentration of organic gas. The notification unit 20 may change the instructions given to the operator 470 based on the type of organic gas. The notification unit 20 may give different instructions for cases where the organic gas is of a high risk, such as explosion, and for cases where it is of a low risk. The memory unit 50 may store in advance concentration thresholds for high-risk gases for each type of gas.

[0076] If the breath detection unit 10 detects an organic gas, it may be detecting organic gases contained in the air of the cockpit 440. If the window 450 is open and the mobile unit 400 is stopped, for example, at a gas station, volatile gasoline may flow into the cockpit 440. In such a case, the breath detection unit 10 may detect volatile gasoline.

[0077] The discrimination unit 80 may determine whether the concentration of organic gas detected by the breath detection unit 10 is greater than or equal to a threshold value for the concentration of said organic gas. If the organic gas is gasoline gas and the concentration of organic gas detected by the breath detection unit 10 is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the notification unit 20 may notify a message such as, "It is dangerous. There is a possibility that gasoline is filling the cabin." If the organic gas is a low-risk type of gas and the concentration of that type of gas detected by the breath detection unit 10 is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the notification unit 20 may notify a message such as, "Please ventilate the cockpit 440."

[0078] Figure 6 shows an example of the relationship between the measured blood alcohol concentration and the alcohol concentration measured by the breath detection unit 10. The weight acquisition unit 482 acquires the weight of the operator 470. If the operator 470 is a human, the weight acquisition unit 482 acquires the weight of that human. If the operator 470 is a human, the weight reference value shown in Figure 6 may be the average weight of a human. This average value is, for example, 60 kg. The case of the weight reference value shown by the solid line in Figure 6 is, for example, the relationship between the measured blood alcohol concentration and the alcohol concentration measured by the breath detection unit 10 in the case of a human whose weight is average.

[0079] If the operator 470 is a human, the ratio of the weight of that human's blood to their body weight is approximately constant regardless of their weight. This ratio is, for example, 7%. Therefore, when the same amount of alcohol is consumed, a person with a larger body weight is more likely to have a lower blood alcohol concentration, and a person with a smaller body weight is more likely to have a higher blood alcohol concentration. Consequently, as shown in Figure 6, when the weight is greater than the weight standard value, the relationship between the measured blood alcohol concentration and the alcohol concentration measured by the breath detection unit 10 tends to be a dashed line, and when the weight is less than the weight standard value, the relationship tends to be a coarse dashed line.

[0080] The memory unit 50 may pre-store the degree of deviation between the solid line and the dashed line shown in Figure 6, and the degree of deviation between the solid line and the coarse dashed line, for each weight. This degree of deviation may be the difference between the measured blood alcohol concentration and the alcohol concentration detected by the breath detection unit 10.

[0081] The information acquisition unit 70 of the breath detection device 300 acquires the weight acquired by the weight acquisition unit 482 of the mobile body 400. The information acquisition unit 70 may acquire the weight wirelessly. The breath detection unit 10 may correct the alcohol concentration it detects based on the weight acquired by the weight acquisition unit 482. For example, the breath detection unit 10 acquires a corrected alcohol concentration by integrating the degree of deviation for each weight stored in the memory unit 50 with the alcohol concentration it detects. This degree of deviation is the degree of deviation corresponding to the weight acquired by the weight acquisition unit 482.

[0082] The notification unit 20 may notify the operator 470 of instructions based on the alcohol concentration corrected by the breath detection unit 10. This allows the notification unit 20 to notify the operator 470 of instructions based on a more accurate alcohol concentration that reflects the operator's weight.

[0083] The imaging unit 486 captures an image of the operator 470. The information acquisition unit 70 of the breath detection device 300 acquires the image captured by the imaging unit 486 of the mobile body 400. The information acquisition unit 70 may acquire the image wirelessly. The discrimination unit 80 of the breath detection device 300 determines the gender of the operator 470 based on the image acquired by the information acquisition unit 70.

[0084] Generally, women's alcohol metabolism rate is often slower than men's. Therefore, when the same amount of alcohol is consumed, the blood alcohol concentration in a woman's body tends to be higher than in a man's. Consequently, the relationship between the measured blood alcohol concentration shown in Figure 6 and the alcohol concentration measured by the breath detection unit 10 may differ depending on gender.

[0085] The memory unit 50 may pre-store the degree of deviation between the solid line and the dashed line shown in Figure 6, and the degree of deviation between the solid line and the coarse dashed line, for each weight and gender.

[0086] The breath detection unit 10 may correct the alcohol concentration it detects based on the weight acquired by the weight acquisition unit 482 and the image captured by the imaging unit 486. The breath detection unit 10 may also correct the alcohol concentration based on the weight acquired by the weight acquisition unit 482 and the gender determined by the discrimination unit 80. For example, the breath detection unit 10 obtains a corrected alcohol concentration by integrating the degree of deviation for each weight and for each gender stored in the memory unit 50 with the alcohol concentration it detects. This degree of deviation corresponds to the weight acquired by the weight acquisition unit 482 and the gender determined by the discrimination unit 80. The notification unit 20 may notify the operator 470 of an instruction based on the alcohol concentration corrected by the breath detection unit 10.

[0087] The discrimination unit 80 may determine whether or not the pilot 470 is wearing a mask based on the image captured by the imaging unit 486. The notification unit 20 may notify the pilot 470 of instructions based on the image captured by the imaging unit 486. For example, if the discrimination unit 80 determines that the pilot is wearing a mask, the notification unit 20 may notify the pilot 470 of a message such as, "Remove your mask and blow into it."

[0088] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing another example of a breath detection device 300 according to one embodiment of the present invention. This breath detection device 300 differs from the breath detection device 300 of Figure 2 in that it further comprises a control information generation unit 30 and a transmission unit 40.

[0089] The control information generation unit 30 generates control information to control the device 492 (see Figure 5) installed on the mobile body 400 based on the breath detection result by the breath detection unit 10. The device 492 may be a device related to the control of the operation of the mobile body 400. Examples of devices related to operation include the power unit 420 (see Figure 1), braking unit, steering unit, etc. The device 492 may also be an electronic device installed on the mobile body 400. Examples of such electronic devices include a car navigation system, car audio system, power windows, driving position adjustment device, etc. The transmission unit 40 transmits the control information to the device 492. The transmission unit 40 may also transmit the control information to the power storage unit 430. As a result, the breath detection device 300 can control the device 492 based on the breath detection result.

[0090] The storage unit 50 may store, in association with the relationship between the exhalation detection result, the control information corresponding to the detection result, and the device 492 and the content of the control corresponding to the control information. The control information generation unit 30 may generate at least one control information from among a plurality of control information based on the exhalation detection result and the relationship stored in the storage unit 50. The control information generation unit 30 may generate a plurality of different control information based on a plurality of different combinations of the exhalation interval and the rate of change of the amount of exhalation. The transmission unit 40 may transmit the control information and the content of the control to the device 492 corresponding to the control information based on the relationship between the at least one control information and the control information stored in the storage unit 50 and the device 492.

[0091] Figure 8 shows an example of the correspondence between exhalation interval and control information, Figure 9 shows an example of the correspondence between the rate of change in exhalation volume and control information, and Figure 10 shows an example of the correspondence between the exhalation interval, the rate of change in exhalation volume and control information. Here, the exhalation interval refers to the time interval from the first exhalation detected to the second exhalation detected. The means for detecting exhalation may be a method of measuring CO2 concentration or flow rate. For example, an optical gas sensor can be used as a means for detecting exhalation, but is not limited to this. The threshold for recognizing exhalation may be when the CO2 concentration or flow rate exceeds a predetermined value. The rate of change in exhalation volume refers to the change in exhalation volume per unit time. The means for detecting the change in exhalation volume may be a method of measuring the CO2 concentration at predetermined time intervals and calculating the amount of change. Alternatively, the flow rate of exhaled air coming out of the body per unit time may be measured. The method is not particularly limited as long as it can detect the change in exhalation volume per unit time.

[0092] The thresholds for the exhalation interval are defined as threshold th1 and threshold th3. Threshold th1 may be the lower limit of the normal human exhalation interval. Threshold th1 may be the upper limit of the normal human exhalation interval. If the exhalation interval is smaller than threshold th1, it is determined that the person is consciously shortening their exhalation interval. If the exhalation interval is greater than or equal to threshold th3, it is determined that the person is consciously lengthening their exhalation interval. Each threshold in this specification may be pre-set by the manufacturer of the exhalation detection device 300, etc., based on statistical data or other data. The threshold for the rate of change of exhalation volume is defined as threshold th2. Threshold th2 may be the rate of change of exhalation volume during normal human respiration. If the rate of change of exhalation volume is less than threshold th2, it is determined that the person is consciously weakening their exhalation.

[0093] The memory unit 50 may store the interval between exhalations, the rate of change in exhalation volume, and control information in association with each other. The control information may be associated with the device 492 that corresponds to that control information. The first and second exhalations shown in Figure 8 refer to two consecutive exhalations.

[0094] The first control is for cases where the interval between breaths is between threshold th1 and threshold th3 (Figure 8), or where the rate of change in breath volume is above threshold th2 (Figure 9). When the interval between breaths is between threshold th1 and threshold th3, there is a high probability that the person is breathing normally. When the rate of change in breath volume is above threshold th2, there is a high probability that the person is breathing normally, or that a sufficient amount of breath necessary for alcohol detection is being blown. Therefore, it is determined that the condition is such that alcohol detection can be performed correctly. Furthermore, it is determined that no special action is required for the control of the device by breath. For this reason, the first control may be control information that does not perform any action related to failure of alcohol detection and does not control any of the devices 492. Here, examples of actions related to failure of alcohol detection include notifying that the measurement was not performed correctly, performing a remeasurement, issuing a notification to encourage accurate remeasurement, issuing a notification to stop if driving, slowing down, stopping the engine, and transmitting to an external source that the measurement was not performed correctly. Examples of notifications to encourage accurate re-measurement include instructions such as bringing your face closer, blowing breath onto a designated spot, closing windows, turning off air conditioning, or changing the direction of the airflow.

[0095] More preferably, the first control may be a control that satisfies at least one of the following conditions: the interval between exhalations is between threshold th1 and th3, or the rate of change in exhalation volume is greater than or equal to threshold th2 (Figure 10). By using information on the interval between exhalations and the rate of change in exhalation volume in combination, the system can be made less susceptible to disturbances. Examples of disturbances include air conditioning, wind entering through windows, the breath of passengers, disinfectant products, and air fresheners. The second control is when the conditions of the first control are not met at the time of alcohol detection. In this case, it can be determined that alcohol detection has not been performed correctly. In this case, the second control may be control information that performs the aforementioned action related to the failure of alcohol detection. With the above configuration, if breathing is abnormal, it can be determined that alcohol detection has not been performed correctly, and each device can be controlled accordingly, thereby avoiding a situation where driving continues despite an incorrect detection result.

[0096] Alternatively, another embodiment may be adopted using the rate of change in the second exhalation volume (Figure 11). The first control is when the interval between exhalations is greater than or equal to threshold th1, the rate of change in the exhalation volume in the first exhalation is greater than or equal to threshold th2, and the rate of change in the exhalation volume in the second exhalation is greater than or equal to threshold th2. In this case, there is a high probability that the person is breathing normally.

[0097] The second control occurs when the interval between exhalations is greater than or equal to threshold th1, the rate of change in exhalation volume during the first exhalation is less than threshold th2, and the rate of change in exhalation volume during the second exhalation is greater than or equal to threshold th2. When the interval between exhalations is less than threshold th2, there is a high probability that the person is consciously blowing a stronger breath into the insulator 102. Therefore, the second control may occur when the person blows a stronger breath once at a normal exhalation rate. The second control may be control information to control the first device 492 among multiple devices 492. For example, the second control may be control information to start the car navigation system.

[0098] The third control occurs when the interval between exhalations is less than threshold th1, the rate of change in exhalation volume during the first exhale is greater than or equal to threshold th2, and the rate of change in exhalation volume during the second exhale is less than threshold th2. The third control may occur when a person exhales with a relatively fast interval between exhalations, blowing a strong breath the first time and a weak breath the second time. The third control may be control information to control the second device 492 among multiple devices 492. For example, the third control may be control information to start the car audio system.

[0099] The fourth control occurs when the interval between exhalations is less than threshold th1, the rate of change in exhalation volume during the first exhalation is less than threshold th2, and the rate of change in exhalation volume during the second exhalation is greater than or equal to threshold th2. The fourth control may occur when a person exhales with a relatively fast interval between exhalations, blowing in a weaker breath the first time and a stronger breath the second time. The fourth control may be control information to control the third device 492 among multiple devices 492. For example, the fourth control is control information to activate the air conditioning in the cockpit 440 (see Figure 1). With the above configuration, devices can be operated using only breath, without using hands, through unusual breathing.

[0100] The exhalation detection unit 10 may detect the interval between exhalations and acquire the rate of change in the amount of exhaled air. For example, the exhalation detection unit 10 may detect whether the interval between exhalations is greater than or equal to threshold th1 or less than threshold th1, and may acquire whether the rate of change in the amount of exhaled air is greater than or equal to threshold th2 or less than threshold th2. The control information generation unit 30 may generate multiple different control information based on the interval between exhalations and the rate of change in the amount of exhaled air. In the example in Figure 11, the control information generation unit 30 generates four different control information based on whether the interval between exhalations is greater than or equal to threshold th1 or less than threshold th1, and whether the rate of change in the amount of exhaled air is greater than or equal to threshold th2 or less than threshold th2. The control information may be single or multiple, and any number can be set.

[0101] After the transmitting unit 40 transmits control information to the device 492, the notification unit 20 may further notify the device 492 of additional information for controlling it based on other exhalation detection results. In the example in Figure 11, other exhalation detection results refer to exhalations after the second exhalation. For example, if the car audio is activated by the third control in the example in Figure 11, additional information for increasing or decreasing the volume of the car audio is notified based on the detection result of the third exhalation. Additional information for increasing the volume of the car audio may be a message such as, "If you want to increase the volume, blow air into the device for 2 seconds." Additional information for decreasing the volume is similar.

[0102] The control information may also be information for controlling the power unit 420. The control information may be information for starting or stopping the power unit 420. For example, if the exhalation volume is above a threshold, the transmission unit 40 transmits control information to the power unit 420 for starting the power unit 420. If the exhalation volume is below a threshold, the transmission unit 40 transmits control information to the power unit 420 for stopping the power unit 420.

[0103] When the breath detection unit 10 detects alcohol in the breath and the discrimination unit 80 determines that the alcohol concentration is above a threshold, the control information generation unit 30 may generate control information to stop the power unit 420. The transmission unit 40 may transmit this control information to the power unit 420. This can prevent the driver 470 from driving under the influence of alcohol.

[0104] Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a breath detection method according to one embodiment of the present invention. The breath detection method of this example will be explained using the breath detection device 300 shown in Figure 7 as an example. The breath detection method comprises a breath detection step S100 and a notification step S120. The breath detection method may also comprise a first activation step S90, a decision step S110, a control information generation step S130, a transmission step S140, and a second activation step S150.

[0105] The first startup step S90 is the step in which the power storage unit 430 (see Figure 1) starts supplying power to the breath detection device 300. The first startup step S90 may be the step in which the breath detection unit 10 and the notification unit 20 are started by the power storage unit 430 starting to supply power to the breath detection device 300.

[0106] The breath detection step S100 is a step in which the breath detection unit 10 detects the breath of the operator 470 of the mobile body 400 while the operator 470 is not in contact with the mobile body 400. The breath detection step S100 is a step in which the breath detection unit 10 detects the breath before the notification unit 20 notifies an instruction. The breath detection step S100 may be a step in which the breath detection unit 10 detects alcohol contained in the breath.

[0107] The determination step S110 is a step in which the discrimination unit 80 determines whether the exhaled breath detected in the exhaled breath detection step S100 satisfies the conditions for controlling the device 492. The determination step S110 is a step in which the exhaled breath detected in the exhaled breath detection step S100 corresponds to, for example, one of the first to fourth control cases shown in Figures 8 to 11. If the determination step S110 determines that the exhaled breath satisfies the conditions for controlling the device 492, the exhaled breath detection method proceeds to the control information generation step S130. If the determination step S110 determines that the exhaled breath does not satisfy the conditions for controlling the device 492, the exhaled breath detection method proceeds to the notification step S120.

[0108] Notification step S120 is a step in which the notification unit 20 notifies the operator 470 of an instruction. Notification step S120 is a step in which the notification unit 20 notifies the operator 470 of an instruction based on the breath detection result by the breath detection unit 10.

[0109] The control information generation step S130 is a step in which the control information generation unit 30 generates control information to control the device 492 based on the breath detection result in the breath detection step S100. In the examples of Figures 8 to 11, the control information generation step S130 is a step in which the control information generation unit 30 generates control information relating to at least one of the first to fourth controls based on the breath detection result. The transmission step S140 is a step in which the transmission unit 40 transmits the control information generated in the control information generation step S130 to the device 492. The transmission step S140 may be a step in which the transmission unit 40 transmits the control information to the energy storage unit 430. The second start-up step S150 is a step in which the control unit provided in the mobile body 400 starts up the device 492 based on the control information transmitted in the transmission step S140. The second start-up step S150 may be a step in which the control unit provided in the mobile body 400 starts up the power unit 420 based on the transmitted control information.

[0110] The calibration information generation unit 140, the result correction unit 150, and the control information generation unit 30 described in Figures 1 to 12 may be implemented by installing programs on one or more computers. These programs may be recorded on a computer-readable medium.

[0111] Various embodiments of the present invention may be described with reference to flowcharts and block diagrams, where a block may represent (1) a stage in a process in which an operation is performed or (2) a section of a device having the role of performing the operation. Specific stages and sections may be implemented by dedicated circuits, programmable circuits supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, and / or processors supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium. Dedicated circuits may include digital and / or analog hardware circuits, and may include integrated circuits (ICs) and / or discrete circuits. Programmable circuits may include reconfigurable hardware circuits, including logical AND, logical OR, logical XOR, logical NAND, logical NOR, and other logic operations, flip-flops, registers, memory elements such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), etc.

[0112] Computer-readable media may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions to be executed by a suitable device, and as a result, computer-readable media having instructions stored therein will comprise a product containing instructions that can be executed to create means for performing operations specified in a flowchart or block diagram. Examples of computer-readable media may include electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, etc. More specific examples of computer-readable media may include floppy disks, diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD), Blu-ray (RTM) disk, memory stick, integrated circuit card, etc.

[0113] Computer-readable instructions may include assembler instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk®, Java®, C++, and traditional procedural programming languages ​​such as the C programming language or similar programming languages.

[0114] Computer-readable instructions may be provided locally or via a wide area network (WAN) such as a local area network (LAN) or the internet to the processor or programmable circuit of a programmable data processing device such as a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or another computer, and may be executed to create means for performing operations specified in a flowchart or block diagram. Here, the computer may be a PC (personal computer), a tablet computer, a smartphone, a workstation, a server computer, a general-purpose computer, or a special-purpose computer, and may also be a computer system in which multiple computers are connected. Such a computer system in which multiple computers are connected is also called a distributed computing system and is a computer in a broad sense. In a distributed computing system, multiple computers execute a program by having each computer execute a part of the program and by passing data during program execution between computers as needed.

[0115] Examples of processors include computer processors, central processing units (CPUs), processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, and microcontrollers. A computer may have one or more processors. In a multiprocessor system with multiple processors, each processor executes a portion of the program, and the processors collectively execute the program by passing program execution data between them as needed. For example, in the execution of multitasking, each of the multiple processors may execute a portion of each task in small chunks by switching tasks at each time slice. In this case, which part of a program each processor executes changes dynamically. Which part of a program each of the multiple processors executes may also be statically determined by multiprocessor-aware programming.

[0116] Figure 13 shows an example of a computer 1200 in which multiple aspects of the present invention may be embodied in whole or in part. A program installed on the computer 1200 can cause the computer 1200 to function as an operation or one or more sections of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, or to execute such operation or one or more sections, and / or to cause the computer 1200 to execute a process or a stage of such process according to an embodiment of the present invention. Such a program may be executed by the CPU 1212 to cause the computer 1200 to perform a particular operation associated with some or all of the blocks in the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein.

[0117] The computer 1200 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 1212, RAM 1214, a graphics controller 1216, and a display device 1218, which are interconnected by a host controller 1210. The computer 1200 also includes input / output units such as a communication interface 1222, a storage device 1224 such as a hard disk drive, a DVD-ROM drive 1226, and an IC card drive, which are connected to the host controller 1210 via an input / output controller 1220. The computer also includes legacy input / output units such as a ROM 1230 and a keyboard 1242, which are connected to the input / output controller 1220 via an input / output chip 1240.

[0118] The CPU 1212 operates according to programs stored in the ROM 1230 and RAM 1214, thereby controlling each unit. The graphics controller 1216 acquires image data generated by the CPU 1212 from a frame buffer provided in RAM 1214 or from itself, and displays the image data on the display device 1218.

[0119] The communication interface 1222 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. The storage device 1224 stores programs and data used by the CPU 1212 in the computer 1200. The DVD-ROM drive 1226 reads programs or data from the DVD-ROM 1227 and provides them to the storage device 1224 via the RAM 1214. The IC card drive reads programs and data from the IC card and / or writes programs and data to the IC card.

[0120] The ROM 1230 stores boot programs and / or hardware-dependent programs of the computer 1200, which are executed by the computer 1200 upon activation. The input / output chip 1240 may also connect various input / output units to the input / output controller 1220 via parallel ports, serial ports, keyboard ports, mouse ports, etc.

[0121] The program is provided on a computer-readable medium such as a DVD-ROM 1227 or an IC card. The program is read from the computer-readable medium and installed on a storage device 1224, RAM 1214, or ROM 1230, which are also examples of computer-readable medium, and executed by the CPU 1212. The information processing described within these programs is read by the computer 1200, resulting in coordination between the program and the various types of hardware resources described above. The apparatus or method may be configured to realize the manipulation or processing of information in accordance with the use of the computer 1200.

[0122] For example, when communication is performed between a computer 1200 and an external device, the CPU 1212 may execute a communication program loaded into RAM 1214 and, based on the processing described in the communication program, instruct the communication interface 1222 to perform communication processing. Under the control of the CPU 1212, the communication interface 1222 reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer processing area provided in a recording medium such as RAM 1214, storage device 1224, DVD-ROM 1227, or IC card, transmits the read transmission data to the network, or writes received data received from the network to a receive buffer processing area provided on the recording medium.

[0123] The CPU 1212 reads all or necessary parts of a file or database stored on an external storage medium such as the memory device 1224, DVD-ROM drive 1226 (DVD-ROM 1227), or IC card into the RAM 1214, and may perform various types of processing on the data in the RAM 1214. The CPU 1212 then writes the processed data back to the external storage medium.

[0124] Various types of information, such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases, may be stored on the recording medium and subjected to information processing. The CPU 1212 may perform various types of processing on the data read from RAM 1214, including various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgments, conditional branching, unconditional branching, information retrieval / replacement, etc., as described throughout this disclosure and specified by the program instruction sequence, and write the results back to RAM 1214. The CPU 1212 may also retrieve information in files, databases, etc., within the recording medium. For example, if multiple entries are stored in the recording medium, each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute, the CPU 1212 may search among the multiple entries for an entry that matches the condition for which the attribute value of the first attribute is specified, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in that entry, and thereby obtain the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0125] The programs or software modules described above may be stored on or near computer 1200 on a computer-readable medium. Alternatively, recording media such as hard disks or RAM provided within a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as computer-readable media, thereby providing programs to computer 1200 via the network.

[0126] 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.

[0127] 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]

[0128] 10... Exhalation detection unit, 20... Notification unit, 30... Control information generation unit, 40... Transmission unit, 50... Storage unit, 60... Control unit, 70... Information acquisition unit, 80... Discrimination unit, 102... Intake port, 103... Internal space, 104... Air blowing unit, 106... Detection housing, 110... Component detection unit, 120... Carbon dioxide 130... Alcohol concentration measurement unit, 140... Calibration information generation unit, 150... Result correction unit, 300... Breath detection device, 400... Mobile unit, 410... Mobile unit housing, 420... Power unit, 430... Energy storage unit, 440... Cockpit, 450... Window, 460... Door, 470... Operator, 480 ...Location information acquisition unit, 482...Weight acquisition unit, 484...Temperature acquisition unit, 486...Imaging unit, 488...Movement state detection unit, 490...Open / close information acquisition unit, 492...Equipment, 1200...Computer, 1210...Host controller, 1212...CPU, 1214...RAM, 1216...Graphics controller, 1218...Display device, 1220...Input / output controller, 1222...Communication interface, 1224...Storage device, 1226...DVD-ROM drive, 1227...DVD-ROM, 1230...ROM, 1240...Input / output chip, 1242...Keyboard

Claims

1. A breath detection device installed in the cockpit of a mobile vehicle, The exhalation detection unit detects exhaled breath when the operator of the mobile body is not in contact with it, A notification unit that notifies the aforementioned pilot of instructions, Equipped with, The breath detection unit detects the breath before the notification unit notifies the instruction, The notification unit notifies the operator of the instruction based on the breath detection result by the breath detection unit. Breath detection device.

2. The breath detection unit is housed in a detection housing fixed to the mobile body. The detection housing has an air intake port through which the exhaled air passes, The breath detection device according to claim 1.

3. The exhaled air is introduced into the detection housing through the intake port for a certain period of time. The exhaled breath detection unit detects exhaled breath based on the carbon dioxide concentration in the internal space of the detection housing. The breath detection device according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned breath detection unit is housed in a detection housing, The detection housing has a blower that sends air from the cockpit to the breath detection unit. The breath detection device according to claim 1.

5. The breath detection unit detects the alcohol contained in the breath, The notification unit notifies the operator of the instruction based on the result of detecting alcohol in the breath. A breath detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The moving body has a position information acquisition unit that acquires the position of the moving body, The breath detection unit determines the relationship between the alcohol concentration in the breath and the reference value of the alcohol concentration at the location, The notification unit notifies the operator of the instruction based on the relationship between the alcohol concentration in the breath and the reference value. The breath detection device according to claim 5.

7. The moving body has a weight acquisition unit that acquires the weight of the operator, The breath detection unit corrects the alcohol concentration based on the weight, The notification unit notifies the operator of the instruction based on the corrected alcohol concentration. The breath detection device according to claim 5.

8. The moving body has an imaging unit for imaging the operator, The breath detection unit corrects the alcohol concentration based on the weight and the image captured by the imaging unit. The notification unit notifies the operator of the instruction based on the corrected alcohol concentration. The breath detection device according to claim 7.

9. The mobile body has a temperature acquisition unit that acquires the temperature of the operator, The notification unit notifies the operator of the instruction based on the alcohol detection result and the temperature. The breath detection device according to claim 5.

10. The moving body has a movement state detection unit that detects the movement state of the moving body, The notification unit notifies the operator of the instruction based on the movement status and the alcohol detection result. The breath detection device according to claim 5.

11. The breath detection unit detects organic gases other than alcohol, The notification unit notifies the instruction based on the concentration of the organic gas. A breath detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

12. The cockpit has windows that can be opened and closed, The moving body has an opening / closing information acquisition unit that acquires information on opening and closing the window, The notification unit notifies the operator of instructions regarding the operation of the window based on the breath detection result and the opening / closing information. A breath detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

13. A control information generation unit generates control information for controlling equipment installed on the mobile body based on the breath detection result by the breath detection unit, A transmitting unit that transmits the control information to the device, A breath detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:

14. The breath detection device according to claim 13, wherein after the transmitting unit transmits the control information to the device, the notification unit further notifies the device of additional information for controlling the device based on other breath detection results.

15. The exhalation detection unit detects the interval between exhalations and acquires the rate of change of the amount of exhalation. The control information generation unit generates a plurality of different control information based on a plurality of different combinations of the interval between exhalations and the rate of change of the amount of exhalation. The breath detection device according to claim 13.

16. The moving body is a power unit which is the equipment and has a power unit that generates power to move the moving body. The control information is information for controlling the power unit. The breath detection device according to claim 13.

17. The breath detection unit detects the alcohol contained in the breath, If the alcohol concentration in the exhaled breath is above a threshold, the control information generation unit generates the control information to stop the power unit. The transmitting unit transmits the control information for stopping the power unit to the power unit. The breath detection device according to claim 16.

18. A breath detection device installed in the cockpit of a mobile vehicle, A breath detection unit that detects the operator's breath when the operator of the moving object is not in contact with it, A control information generation unit generates control information for controlling equipment installed on the mobile body based on the breath detection result by the breath detection unit, A transmitting unit that transmits the control information to the device, Equipped with, The breath detection unit is housed in a detection housing fixed to the mobile body. The detection housing has an air intake port through which the exhaled air passes, The exhalation detection unit detects the exhaled air that has passed through the intake port. Breath detection device.

19. The exhalation detection unit detects the interval between exhalations and acquires the rate of change of the amount of exhalation. The control information generation unit generates a plurality of different control information based on the interval between exhalations and the rate of change in the amount of exhalation. The breath detection device according to claim 18.

20. The moving body is a power unit which is the equipment and has a power unit that generates power to move the moving body. The control information is information for controlling the power unit. The breath detection device according to claim 18 or 19.

21. A breath detection method using a breath detection device installed in the cockpit of a mobile vehicle, comprising a breath detection unit and a notification unit, The breath detection unit performs a breath detection step in which it detects the breath of the operator when the operator of the mobile body is not in contact with it, The notification unit performs a notification step of notifying the operator of instructions, Equipped with, The breath detection step is a step in which the breath detection unit detects the breath before the notification unit notifies the instruction, The notification step is a step in which the notification unit notifies the operator of an instruction based on the breath detection result by the breath detection unit. Method for detecting exhaled breath.

22. A breath detection program for causing a computer to perform the breath detection method described in claim 21.

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