Optical Sensor System for Non-Invasive Operator Impairment Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring a motorized system operator's incapacitation state, such as blood alcohol concentration, are invasive, inefficient, or not suitable for integration in mobile devices, posing safety risks due to the inability to provide real-time impairment indicators.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating optical sensors with light sources and photodetectors, coupled with control circuitry, non-invasively measures physiological information like blood alcohol concentration and stress levels, enabling real-time monitoring and responsive actions, such as locking out the vehicle or providing warnings, through the use of LEDs and photodetectors integrated with motorized systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive methods are used to measure blood alcohol concentration, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical/biological measurement methods with an optical measurement system. The optical sensor uses light sources and photodetectors to non-invasively measure physiological parameters (blood alcohol concentration, stress levels) through optical absorption and scattering properties of tissues, eliminating needles or blood draws while maintaining measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical sensors as an intermediary between the operator and the measurement system. The sensors detect physiological changes through light interaction with biological tissues, serving as a non-invasive mediator that provides accurate measurements without direct contact with bodily fluids or invasive procedures
2Productivity
If real-time monitoring is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional optical sensor system that simultaneously measures multiple physiological parameters (blood alcohol concentration, stress levels, other incapacitation indicators) using a single integrated device. This universal approach enables real-time monitoring of various impairment states without requiring separate specialized devices for each measurement type
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple light sources, photodetectors, and processing circuits into an integrated optical sensor module. By merging these components into a compact unified system, the patent achieves real-time monitoring capability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity through component integration and shared signal processing pathways
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
Enables safe operation of motorized systems by providing real-time incapacitation state monitoring, preventing unsafe operation and allowing for automatic control or warnings, thus enhancing safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Light sensors often employ photodetectors such as photodiodes, phototransistors, or the like, which convert received light into an electrical signal
Implementation Method 2
The system includes a plurality of light sources (e.g., light-emitting diodes (LEDs)), one or more photodetectors
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes one or more optical sensors for the measuring and monitoring of physiological information of a motorized system operator. The system is configured to determine an incapacitation state of the motorized system operator based upon the measured physiological information. When the measured physiological information indicates an incapacitation state (intoxication level, stress level, and so forth), the system is configured to provide a response thereto including, but not limited to: lock out operation of the motorized system, provide a warning on a display, transmit a message from the motorized system, assume automatic control of the motorized system, and so forth. The system includes a plurality of light sources (e.g., light-emitting diodes (LEDs)), one or more photodetectors, and control circuitry coupled to the plurality of light sources and/or photodetectors to non-invasively measure physiological information (e.g., blood alcohol concentration, stress levels, and so forth).