Wrist-Worn Alcohol Monitor with Integrated Biometric Camera
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current breath alcohol testing systems lack effective methods for confirming the identity of the individual providing a sample, making them susceptible to tampering and inaccuracies, especially in public or quick testing scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A handheld and wrist-worn alcohol detection device with an integrated electronics module, alcohol detection module, and biometric camera that captures images of the user's mouth, eliminating the need for peripheral cameras or sensors to authenticate identity, while also determining alcohol presence through a sample collection device and light sources/detectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If breath alcohol testing is performed without integrated biometric authentication, then the testing process is simple and quick, but the reliability of identity confirmation is poor and tampering is more likely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the alcohol detection module with a biometric authentication module (camera for facial recognition) into a single integrated device. This merging eliminates the need for separate peripheral components while ensuring that the same individual who provides the breath sample is verified through biometric identification, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The testing device is designed to perform multiple functions: alcohol detection through breath analysis and identity verification through biometric authentication. This multi-functional design allows a single device to both detect alcohol presence and confirm the user's identity, reducing the need for multiple separate systems and components
2Reliability
If peripheral cameras or sensors are used for identity authentication, then identity confirmation capability is improved, but the device form factor increases and tampering probability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera for biometric authentication is integrated within the housing of the alcohol detection device rather than being a peripheral component. This integration maintains a compact form factor while providing identity verification capability, eliminating the need for separate external cameras or sensors
3Ease of operation
If visual inspection is used to confirm identity after testing, then the testing process remains simple, but inaccuracies increase and tampering is more likely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection with automated biometric authentication using a camera and facial recognition algorithms. This substitution maintains ease of operation as the process is automated, while significantly improving identity verification accuracy by using objective biometric data rather than subjective visual assessment
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 solution provides secure and accurate identity confirmation and alcohol detection in a compact form factor, reducing tampering risks and inaccuracies, and enabling quick, public, and efficient alcohol monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
Within an electrochemical cell, ethanol present in the breath sample is oxidized to acetic acid by the atmospheric reduction of oxygen and converted into an electrical current
Implementation Method 2
The sample collection device includes at least one light source and at least one light detector
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure includes a body-worn alcohol detection device. The device includes a housing comprising an electronics module and an alcohol detection module. The device further comprises a strap for securing the housing to a limb of the user. The electronics module includes a processor and a communication module, and the alcohol detection module includes an alcohol detection sensor, a sample collection device and a biometric camera for capturing an image of the inside of the user's mouth.