Tracer-Aided Breath Analysis for Fast Intoxication Classification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current breath analyzing systems, particularly in vehicles, face challenges with slow response times and high measurement errors in contactless detection methods, making them unsuitable for real-time applications and environmentally unsustainable due to disposable components.
Innovation Solution
A breath analysis system and method that uses a contactless detection approach with a control unit that calculates a running average of breath concentration and statistical spread, incorporating tracer and intoxicating substance signal samples from multiple periods to improve accuracy and reduce measurement errors, allowing for real-time classification and minimizing the use of disposable components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If contactless detection is used to avoid disposable components, then environmental sustainability improves, but measurement precision and response time deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors tracer gas concentration and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the evaluation process. The control unit calculates statistical spread based on running averages and uses this information to determine when sufficient data has been collected for reliable classification, enabling real-time adaptation to varying breath conditions without requiring multiple discrete samples
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis by continuously calculating running averages and statistical spread during the evaluation period. Tracer-aided classification is performed in advance on collected data to determine whether the intoxicating substance concentration is above or below the limit, allowing the system to prepare and present results immediately when the evaluation period ends
2Measurement precision
If contactless detection accumulates more data to reduce measurement errors, then measurement precision improves, but response time worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously performs preliminary calculations of running averages and statistical spread during the evaluation period. This preliminary action allows the system to have results ready immediately when the evaluation period ends, eliminating additional processing time while maintaining measurement precision through adequate data accumulation
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the evaluation period duration based on real-time statistical analysis. The control unit monitors the statistical spread of the running average and determines when sufficient data has been collected to achieve reliable classification. This dynamic adaptation allows the evaluation period to be as short as possible while still accumulating adequate data to reduce measurement errors
3Reliability
If tracer-aided classification with statistical spread calculation is implemented, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically performs all statistical calculations including running averages, statistical spread, and classification determination without requiring external intervention. The system self-manages the evaluation period, continuously updates statistics, and autonomously determines when sufficient data has been collected, reducing the need for complex external control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the evaluation criteria from fixed time-based sampling to dynamic statistical-based evaluation. Instead of requiring a predetermined number of samples or fixed time period, the system continuously monitors the statistical spread of the running average and adapts the evaluation duration based on the calculated reliability metrics, achieving robust classification with optimized processing
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 system provides faster and more reliable breath analysis with reduced measurement errors, enabling immediate classification and minimizing the risk of false results, while also reducing the environmental impact by minimizing disposable components.
Implementation Method 1
a measuring unit (110) having a measuring cell or cavity into which a breath sample (2) is drawn for analyzing its content of tracer and intoxicating substances
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a breath analyzing system and method. In particular the invention relates to a breath analyzing system and method arranged to provide tracer-aided classification of the presence of a breath intoxicating substance above a limit concentration and providing status to a user about the progression of the classification. The method/system detects a peak in the tracer signal and defines an evaluation period corresponding to the duration of the peak. Measurements classification of the concentration of the intoxicating substance is used for the evaluation period, and if required to achieve a result, for a plurality of evaluation periods.