Tamper-Evident Breath Analyzer with Facial Imaging and CO2 Dilution Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Breath analyzers without physical contact are susceptible to tampering, leading to false negative alcohol signals, as individuals may attempt to dilute their breath samples by blowing through tubing or using charcoal, which is not effectively detected by existing devices.
Innovation Solution
A tamper-evident breath analyzer device equipped with an imaging device that captures images of the test subject's face to identify the mouth and detect any blocking objects, combined with a carbon dioxide sensor to estimate sample dilution, and a processor unit to analyze images and produce error signals for untampered breath samples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a no-contact breath analyser device is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to susceptibility to tampering
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device captures images of the test subject's face and the inlet port area before the breath sample analysis is completed. The processor unit analyzes these images to detect blocking objects or tampering attempts in advance, producing error signals that prevent false negative results. This preliminary detection mechanism addresses the reliability issue while maintaining the ease of operation of no-contact testing.
2Ease of operation
If ambient air dilution is allowed for convenience, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses a carbon dioxide sensor to measure the concentration of CO2 in the breath sample, which serves as a tracer substance. The processor unit compares the measured CO2 concentration against expected values to calculate the degree of ambient air dilution. This feedback mechanism allows the system to compensate for dilution effects and estimate the true breath alcohol concentration, thereby maintaining measurement precision despite allowing convenient no-contact operation.
3Reliability
If tamper detection capabilities are added, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device serves multiple functions: it captures images for tamper detection, verifies proper mouth positioning, and monitors the breath sample delivery process. The processor unit analyzes these images to detect blocking objects, determine mouth openness, and identify tampering attempts. By using a single imaging system for multiple purposes, the patent improves reliability through tamper detection while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device acts as an intermediary between the test subject and the breath analysis system. It provides visual information about the test subject's face, mouth position, and potential blocking objects without requiring physical contact or complex mechanical sensors. This intermediary approach enables tamper detection and verification functions while keeping the device structure relatively simple.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively prevents false negative signals by ensuring that the breath sample is not tampered with, providing accurate alcohol concentration measurements by analyzing images and sensor data to confirm the integrity of the sample.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging device arranged and configured to capture images of a test subject's face when the device is in use
Implementation Method 2
measuring the concentration of a tracer substance such as carbon dioxide within the sample in order to estimate the degree of dilution
Implementation Method 3
the sensor arrangement being configured to provide a signal representative of the concentration of a volatile substance within said sample
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
There is disclosed a tamper evident breath analyser device (1) having an inlet region (2) and a sensor arrangement, the inlet region (2) being configured to receive a breath sample from a test subject via an inlet port (6) and direct the sample to the sensor arrangement, and the sensor arrangement being configured to provide a signal representative of the concentration of a volatile substance within said sample. The device (1) includes an imaging device (9) arranged and configured to capture images of a test subject's face (14) when the device (1) is in use and positioned to receive a breath sample from the test subject (10) via said inlet port (6). The device (1) also has a processor unit (22) operable to analyse said images and produce a signal indicative of an untampered breath sample in dependence on said analysis. An associated method is also disclosed.