U.S. patent application number 14/925675 was filed with the patent office on 2017-06-15 for method and system for monitoring intoxication.
The applicant listed for this patent is KHN Solutions, Inc.. Invention is credited to Imraan Aziz, Pauline Anne Basaran, Christopher Thomas Faykus, Keith Harry Nothacker, Stacey Ilene Rettus, Zachary Michael Saul, Michael Jurgen Strasser, John Paul Walton.
Application Number | 20170164889 14/925675 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63710550 |
Filed Date | 2017-06-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170164889 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
Nothacker; Keith Harry ; et
al. |
June 15, 2017 |
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING INTOXICATION
Abstract
A method and system for monitoring a user's intoxication
including receiving a set of signals, derived from a set of samples
collected from the user at a set of time points; providing a
sobriety task to the user proximal to a time point of the set of
time points; generating a performance dataset characterizing
performance of the sobriety task by the user; receiving a
supplementary dataset characterizing a demographic profile of the
user and/or a physiological state of the user; determining a set of
values of an intoxication metric, derived from the set of signals;
generating a predicted temporal profile of the intoxication metric
for the user based upon the set of values, the set of time points,
and the supplementary dataset; generating an analysis of the user's
sobriety based upon the performance dataset and the predicted
temporal profile; and providing a notification to the user based
upon the analysis.
Inventors: |
Nothacker; Keith Harry; (San
Francisco, CA) ; Basaran; Pauline Anne; (San
Francisco, CA) ; Rettus; Stacey Ilene; (San
Francisco, CA) ; Strasser; Michael Jurgen; (San
Francisco, CA) ; Aziz; Imraan; (San Francisco,
CA) ; Walton; John Paul; (San Francisco, CA) ;
Saul; Zachary Michael; (San Francisco, CA) ; Faykus;
Christopher Thomas; (San Francisco, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KHN Solutions, Inc. |
San Francisco |
CA |
US |
|
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20160045153 A1 |
February 18, 2016 |
|
|
Family ID: |
63710550 |
Appl. No.: |
14/925675 |
Filed: |
October 28, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14631125 |
Feb 25, 2015 |
9192334 |
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14925675 |
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|
14470376 |
Aug 27, 2014 |
9076317 |
|
|
14631125 |
|
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|
14169029 |
Jan 30, 2014 |
8878669 |
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14470376 |
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61759390 |
Jan 31, 2013 |
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61812704 |
Apr 16, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01N 33/4972 20130101;
A61B 5/0022 20130101; G06F 19/00 20130101; A61B 5/7282 20130101;
A61B 2010/0087 20130101; A61B 5/097 20130101; G08B 21/0453
20130101; A61B 5/4845 20130101; A61B 5/7275 20130101; A61B 5/681
20130101; A61B 5/742 20130101; A61B 5/486 20130101; A61B 5/082
20130101; G08B 21/02 20130101; A61B 5/1118 20130101; A61B 5/4023
20130101; A61B 2503/22 20130101; A61B 5/18 20130101; A61B 2010/0009
20130101; A61B 5/7475 20130101; A61B 5/4863 20130101; A61B
2562/0219 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 5/00 20060101
A61B005/00; A61B 5/08 20060101 A61B005/08 |
Claims
1. A method for informing a user of an intoxication state,
comprising: Upon receiving an input from the user at a wrist-borne
mobile computing device associated with the user, prompting a user
to provide a breath sample to a sample receiving module at a first
time point; at a processing subsystem in communication with the
sample receiving module, receiving a breath sample signal derived
from the breath sample; at the processing subsystem, determining a
value of a blood alcohol content (BAC) metric from the breath
sample signal; at the processing subsystem, generating a predicted
temporal profile of the BAC metric for the user over time, based
upon the value of the BAC metric and the first time point; and
transmitting commands, from the processing subsystem to the
wrist-borne mobile computing device, that prompt the wrist-borne
mobile computing device to display information from an analysis
derived from the predicted temporal profile at a display of the
wrist-borne mobile computing device, thus informing the user of the
intoxication state.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the user, at
a touch display of the wrist-borne mobile computing device, an
option to select a reminder to provide a subsequent breath sample
at a future time point; and, upon selection of the option by the
user at the touch display, automatically reminding the user to
provide the subsequent breath sample at the future time point.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising prompting the user to
provide a second breath sample at a second time point after the
first time point, and receiving a second breath sample signal at
the processing subsystem.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising adjusting the
predicted temporal profile based upon the second breath sample
signal and the second time point.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein prompting the wrist-borne mobile
computing device to display information from the analysis comprises
prompting the wrist-borne mobile computing device to display a
clock that actively displays a set of estimated values of the BAC
metric for the user at each of a set of time points.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising reminding the user,
with a set of reminders, to provide a set of breath samples
according to a schedule of time points, by way of a notification
module executing at the wrist-borne mobile computing device.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein in a first mode of operation, if
the user responds positively to a reminder of the set of reminders
provided according to the schedule, and provides a subsequent
breath sample, providing subsequent reminders of the set of
reminders according to the schedule continues; and wherein in a
second mode of operation, if the user ignores a reminder of the set
of reminders provided according to the schedule and fails to
provide a breath sample, providing subsequent reminders according
to the schedule ceases for a period of time.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein prompting the wrist-borne mobile
computing device to display information from the analysis comprises
prompting the wrist-borne mobile computing device to display a
countdown timer that actively displays a time duration until the
estimated time point at which the user will reach the state of
sobriety.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: at the processing
subsystem, receiving a signal from the sample receiving module,
indicative of provision of an inadequate breath sample by the user,
and, using the display of the wrist-borne mobile computing device,
reminding the user to provide a subsequent breath sample after a
duration of time has passed since provision of the inadequate
breath sample.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the predicted
temporal profile includes generating the predicted temporal profile
of blood alcohol content vs. time for the user, based upon the
breath sample signal, the first time point, and a predicted alcohol
elimination rate.
11. A method for informing a user of an intoxication state over
time, comprising: using a mobile electronic device associated with
the user and having a user interface, prompting the user to provide
a breath sample to a sample receiving module in communication with
the mobile electronic device, at a first time point; at a
processing subsystem in communication with at least one of the
mobile electronic device and the sample receiving module, receiving
a breath sample signal derived from the breath sample; at the
processing subsystem, determining a value of an intoxication metric
from the breath sample signal; at the processing subsystem,
generating a predicted value of the intoxication metric for the
user at a future time point after the first time point; and
transmitting commands, from the processing subsystem to the mobile
electronic device, that prompt the mobile electronic device to
display information associated with the predicted value and
informative of the future time point at a display of the mobile
electronic device, thus informing the user of the intoxication
state over time.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the mobile electronic device
comprises a wrist-borne mobile computing device, and wherein
prompting the user to provide the breath sample comprises receiving
an input provided by the user at the user interface of the
wrist-borne mobile computing device, and guiding the user in
provision of the breath sample by rendering instructions at the
user interface, comprising a display, of the wrist-borne mobile
computing device.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein transmitting commands that
prompt the mobile electronic device to display information from the
analysis comprises prompting the mobile computing device to display
a countdown timer that actively displays a time duration until the
future time point at which the user will reach the predicted value
of the intoxication metric.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein transmitting commands that
prompt the mobile electronic device to display information
associated with the predicted value comprises prompting the mobile
electronic device to display the value of the intoxication metric
for the user at the first time point, and to display the predicted
value of the intoxication metric at the future time point.
15. The method of claim 11, further comprising reminding the user
to provide a set of breath samples according to a schedule of time
points, by way of a notification module executing at the mobile
electronic device, and automatically adjusting the predicted value
in response to reception of breath sample signals derived from the
set of breath samples.
16. A method for informing a user of an intoxication state,
comprising: Upon receiving an input from the user at a wrist-borne
mobile computing device associated with the user, prompting a user
to provide a breath sample to a sample receiving module; at a
processing subsystem in communication with the sample receiving
module, receiving a breath sample signal derived from the breath
sample; at the processing subsystem, determining a value of a blood
alcohol content (BAC) metric from the breath sample signal; and
transmitting commands, from the processing subsystem to the
wrist-borne mobile computing device, that prompt the wrist-borne
mobile computing device to display information informative of the
value of the BAC metric at a display of the wrist-borne mobile
computing device, thus informing the user of the intoxication
state.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising providing the user,
at a touch display of the wrist-borne mobile computing device, an
option to select a reminder to provide the breath sample at a
future time point; and, upon selection of the option by the user at
the touch display, automatically reminding the user to provide the
subsequent breath sample at the future time point.
18. The method of claim 16, further comprising generating a
predicted temporal profile of blood alcohol content vs. time for
the user, based upon the breath sample signal, a time point at
which the user provided the breath sample, and a predicted alcohol
elimination rate.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein transmitting commands that
prompt the wrist-borne mobile computing device to display
information informative of the value of the BAC metric further
comprises transmitting commands that prompt the wrist-borne mobile
computing device to display information derived from the predicted
temporal profile.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the predicted temporal profile
includes a future time point at which the user will reach a state
of sobriety, and wherein transmitting commands comprises
transmitting commands that prompt the wrist-borne mobile computing
device to display a countdown timer that actively displays a time
duration until the future time point at which the user will reach
the state of sobriety.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 14/631,125, filed 25 Feb. 2015, which is a continuation-in-part
of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/470,376 filed 8 Aug. 2014, which is
a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/169,029,
filed 30 Jan. 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/812,704 filed 16 Apr. 2013 and U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/759,390 filed 31 Jan. 2013,
which are each incorporated in their entirety herein by this
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates generally to the intoxication
monitoring device field, and more specifically to a new and useful
method and system for monitoring intoxication.
BACKGROUND
[0003] It is often desirable to analyze a biological sample from a
person to detect substances carried in the biological sample. As
such, breathalyzer devices are used to test the content of alcohol
(i.e., ethanol) carried in an individual's breath, in order to
determine a measure of alcohol consumed by the individual. The
measure is typically presented as a blood alcohol content (BAC),
which can provide an indication of a user's mental and/or physical
adeptness. As such, BAC measures are also used to provide a basis
for limits of alcohol consumption in relation to the performance of
tasks, including driving a vehicle, operating machinery, and
performing various tasks in a working environment. While current
blood alcohol measuring devices are able to determine an
individual's BAC, and are typically used in law enforcement
settings, existing systems and methods configured to provide
monitoring of alcohol consumption are severely limited in both law
enforcement settings and consumer device settings.
[0004] There is thus a need in the intoxication monitoring device
field to create a new and useful method and system for monitoring
intoxication. This invention provides such a new and useful method
and system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0005] FIG. 1A depicts a schematic of an embodiment of a method for
monitoring intoxication;
[0006] FIG. 1B depicts a flowchart schematic of an embodiment of a
method for informing a user of an intoxication state;
[0007] FIG. 1C depicts a schematic of an embodiment of a method for
informing a user of an intoxication state;
[0008] FIG. 2 depicts a schematic of a portion of an embodiment of
a method for monitoring intoxication;
[0009] FIGS. 3A-3C depict embodiments of generating a predicted
temporal profile that facilitates monitoring of the user's
intoxication;
[0010] FIG. 4 depicts an example of an analysis, notification, and
device/user interface configured to facilitate monitoring of the
user's intoxication;
[0011] FIGS. 5A-5B depict examples of an analysis configured to
facilitate monitoring of the user's intoxication;
[0012] FIG. 6 depicts a schematic of a portion of an embodiment of
a method for monitoring intoxication;
[0013] FIGS. 7A-7C depict schematics of embodiments of a system for
monitoring intoxication;
[0014] FIG. 8 depicts an example of a portion of a system for
monitoring intoxication;
[0015] FIG. 9 depicts examples of device pairing in an embodiment
of a method and system for monitoring intoxication;
[0016] FIG. 10 depicts an example of user guidance in an embodiment
of a method and system for monitoring intoxication;
[0017] FIGS. 11A-11C depict examples of informing a user regarding
his/her intoxication state, at a user interface of a wrist-borne
mobile computing device, in an embodiment of a method for
monitoring intoxication;
[0018] FIG. 12 depicts a flowchart schematic of a variations of a
method for monitoring intoxication;
[0019] FIGS. 13 and 14 depict examples of reminder provision at a
user interface of a wrist-borne mobile computing device, in an
embodiment of a method for monitoring intoxication;
[0020] FIG. 15 depicts a flowchart of an example of reminder
provision, in an embodiment of a method for monitoring
intoxication; and
[0021] FIGS. 16A-16G depict examples of information provision to
the user, at one or more mobile computing devices, in an embodiment
of a method and system for monitoring intoxication.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] The following description of the preferred embodiments of
the invention is not intended to limit the invention to these
preferred embodiments, but rather to enable any person skilled in
the art to make and use this invention.
1. Method
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1A, an embodiment of a method 100 for
monitoring intoxication of a user includes: receiving a set of
signals, derived from a set of samples collected from the user at a
set of time points S110; providing a sobriety task to the user
proximal to at least one time point of the set of time points S120;
generating a performance dataset characterizing performance of the
sobriety task by the user S125; receiving a supplementary dataset
characterizing at least one of a demographic profile of the user
and a physiological state of the user S130; determining a set of
values of an intoxication metric, derived from the set of signals
S140; generating a predicted temporal profile of the intoxication
metric for the user based upon the set of values, the set of time
points, and the supplementary dataset S150; generating an analysis
of the user's sobriety based upon the performance dataset and the
predicted temporal profile S160; and providing a notification to
the user based upon the analysis S170. The method 100 can further
comprise generating a longitudinal prediction of an effect of the
user's alcohol consumption, based upon the set of signals and the
analysis S180; guiding the user in at least one of providing the
set of samples and performing the sobriety task S190; and
transmitting at least one of the predicted temporal profile, the
analysis, and the notification to an entity S210.
[0024] The method 100 functions to provide a tool that allows a
user to monitor his/her alcohol consumption and behavioral effects
of intoxication in a compelling and intuitive manner. The method
100 can also function to guide a user's behavior at various stages
of intoxication, by providing notifications related to the user's
intoxication state. In this regard, the method 100 can provide
short-term and/or long-term predictions of a state of the user, in
quantitative and qualitative manners, such that the user learns
about the physiological and/or behavioral effects of his/her
alcohol consumption. The method 100 can also incorporate a social
component, wherein information related to a user's
intoxication-induced behavior and/or physiological state can be
communicated to another entity (e.g., a supervisor, a caretaker, a
family member, an acquaintance).
[0025] Preferably, at least a subset of the method 100 is
implemented using a portion of the system 200 described in Section
2 below, comprising a sample receiving module 210 configured to
receive a set of samples from the user, a data link 248 configured
to communicate signals derived from the set of samples, and a
processing subsystem 250 configured to receive and process data in
order to generate a notification that can be provided to the user
at a user interface 205; however, the method 100 can be implemented
using any other suitable system configured to collect and/or
transmit samples from the user, analyze the samples, and provide
information regarding the user's intoxication state. In one
specific example, the method 100 is implemented at least in part
using a breathalyzer unit including a wireless data link, a
processing subsystem 250, and a mobile computing device 202
executing an application with a user interface 205 configured to
receive inputs and provide information to the user. As such, the
method 100 is preferably implemented for a user who is
substantially removed from law enforcement personnel; however, the
method 100 can alternatively be implemented for a user who is in
proximity to law enforcement personnel.
[0026] In some embodiments, the method 100 can be adapted to
actively inform a user of his/her intoxication state, by
implementing features of a wearable mobile computing device in
addition to or alternative to any other suitable mobile computing
device(s). In particular, implementation of features of a
wrist-borne mobile computing device 500 and/or a head-mounted
mobile computing device can allow a user to be actively informed of
his/her sobriety in a manner that is less distracting and less
obtrusive to the user (or entities in communication with the user)
than traditional methods of notifying a user regarding his/her
sobriety state. For instance, the method 100 can facilitate
provision of information to the user at a wrist-borne or
head-mounted mobile computing device 500 having a display that the
user can access or otherwise interact with to be provided with
information pertaining to an intoxication state, without performing
a distracting activity (e.g., reaching into a pocket or purse to
interact with a mobile device). In these embodiments, the
wrist-borne or head-mounted mobile computing device can be
coupleable to another mobile device (e.g., as in an Apple
Watch-iPhone connection, as in an Apple Watch-iPad connection, as
in a Samsung Gear-Samsung smartphone connection, as in a Samsung
Gear-Samsung tablet connection, as in an Android watch-Android
smart device connection), wherein the other mobile device is
coupleable to the sample reception module (e.g., by Bluetooth
pairing); however, the wrist-borne or head-mounted mobile computing
device can additionally or alternatively be coupleable directly to
the sample reception module without an intermediate mobile device
connection.
[0027] In one such embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, a
method 400 for informing a user of an intoxication state comprises:
using a mobile computing device associated with the user and having
a user interface, prompting the user to provide a breath sample to
a sample receiving module in communication with the mobile
computing device, at a first time point S410, at a processing
subsystem in communication with at least one of the mobile
computing device and the sample receiving module, receiving a
breath sample signal derived from the breath sample S420; at the
processing subsystem, determining a value of an intoxication metric
from the breath sample signal S430; at the processing subsystem,
generating a predicted temporal profile of the intoxication metric
for the user over time, including an estimated time point at which
the user will reach a target intoxication state, based upon the
value of the intoxication metric and the first time point S440; and
transmitting commands that prompt the mobile computing device to
render an analysis derived from the predicted temporal profile and
informative of the estimated time point at the user interface, thus
informing the user of the intoxication state over time S450. A
schematic of the method 400, represented in Blocks S410', S420',
S430', S440', and S450' is shown in FIG. 1C.
[0028] In this embodiment, the method 400 can thus allow the user
to be actively informed of his/her intoxication state (e.g.,
estimated intoxication state, actual intoxication state)
substantially in real-time or in near-real-time, and allow the user
to understand when he/she will reach a target intoxication state
(e.g., a state of sobriety, a state at which it is legal to drive,
etc.) at a future time point. The method 400 can additionally or
alternatively adapt estimates upon reception of one or more
additional breath sample signals at one or more later time points,
in coordination with reminding the user to provide one or more
additional breath samples. In a specific example, the method 400 is
implemented using an Apple Watch device to prompt the user to
provide a breath sample and to inform the user of his/her
intoxication state in a dynamic manner as time progresses; however,
variations of the method 400 can additionally or alternatively be
implemented using any other suitable wrist-borne mobile computing
device 500 (Samsung Gear, Android.TM. Wear device, etc.) and/or
head-mounted mobile computing device (e.g., Google Glass, Vuvix
device, etc.).
[0029] Block S110 recites: receiving a set of signals, derived from
a set of samples collected from the user at a set of time points,
and functions to enable generation of data that can be used to
determine a predicted temporal profile of an intoxication metric.
The set of signals is preferably received at processing subsystem,
such as the processing subsystem described in Section 2 below;
however, the set of signals can alternatively be received at any
other suitable processing element configured to transform the set
of signals into a set of values of an intoxication metric. Block
S110 is preferably enabled using a sample receiving module (e.g.,
of a breathalyzer device) that is configured to collect the set of
samples from the user. As such, the set of samples can be collected
automatically and/or manually, can be collected continuously and/or
intermittently, and can be collected at regular and/or irregular
intervals. Furthermore, the set of samples can include any one or
more of: breath samples (e.g., samples collected at a breathalyzer
unit), urine samples, blood samples, interstitial fluid samples,
and any other suitable sample that can be used to assess the user's
intoxication.
[0030] Preferably, the set of samples is received from the user in
Block S110 in a non-invasive manner; however, the set of samples
can be received in a minimally invasive or invasive manner.
Furthermore, in some variations, the set of signals can be received
without directly collecting samples from the user; for example, the
set of signals can be generated in an indirect manner, as derived
from an interaction between a stimulus and the user's body (e.g.,
spectrometer-based analysis of light transmitted from a user's
blood vessels). In still other variations, Block S110 can entirely
omit using a set of samples from the user, and instead rely upon
characteristics of the user and the user's alcohol consumption
(e.g., gender, mass, number of drinks consumed, time over which the
drinks have been consumed, etc.) to facilitate generation of values
of an intoxication metric. In one such example, data used as inputs
in a Widmark formula or a derivative thereof can be received in
Block S110.
[0031] In a specific example of Block S110, the set of signals can
be received wirelessly using a Bluetooth transmission module
incorporated into a Breathalyzer unit configured to collect one or
more breath samples from a user at one or more stages of
intoxication. In the specific example, Block S110 can facilitate
pairing between the Bluetooth transmission module of the
Breathalyzer unit and a Bluetooth module of a computing device
(e.g., a mobile computing device, a wrist-borne mobile computing
device, a head-mounted mobile computing device, etc.). In more
detail, pairing can be facilitated by way of an application
executing on the mobile computing device and, upon establishing a
connection between the Breathalyzer and the mobile computing
device, the user can be provided with an option (i.e., a prompt) to
provide an input that indicates that the user intends to provide a
breath sample to the Breathalyzer. In the specific example, a
sample of the set of samples can be collected at the breathalyzer
unit prior to cessation of a period of alcohol consumption by the
user, and/or a sample of the set of samples can be collected at the
breathalyzer unit post-cessation of a period of alcohol consumption
by the user. However, variations of the specific example can,
however, involve pairing between devices (e.g., by WiFi, by a wired
connection, etc.) and/or prompting of the user to provide a sample
in any other suitable manner.
[0032] In relation to Blocks S410 and S420, receiving a breath
sample signal is preferably performed in a manner similar to that
described in relation to Block S110 above. In particular, in one
variation, Block S410 can use a mobile computing device associated
with the user and having a user interface, in prompting the user to
provide a breath sample to a sample receiving module (e.g., of a
Breathalyzer device). In this variation, a native application
executing on the mobile computing device can facilitate
establishment of communication (e.g., over a Bluetooth connection)
between the mobile computing device and the sample receiving
module, and can also guide the user in providing the breath sample
at a first time point. In variations, guiding or prompting the user
to provide the breath sample can comprise one or more of: visually
guiding the user by rendering textual and/or graphical instructions
at a display (e.g., of the mobile computing device, coupled to the
sample receiving module, etc.); visually guiding the user by
emitting light using a light emitting element (e.g., of the mobile
computing device, coupled to the sample receiving module, etc.);
audibly guiding the user by providing audio instructions through a
speaker, (e.g., of the mobile computing device, coupled to the
sample receiving module, etc.); haptically guiding the user by
providing touch-sensitive feedback using an actuator/vibration
motor (e.g., of the mobile computing device, coupled to the sample
receiving module, etc.); and guiding in any other suitable
manner.
[0033] In any of the above variations of guiding the user in Block
S410, the user can be prompted to provide a breath sample after the
user indicates that he/she is ready, for instance, by providing an
input at an input module of the mobile computing device and/or the
sample receiving module. In examples, providing the input can
comprise one or more of: interacting with a touch sensitive display
(e.g., by pushing, tapping, swiping, pinching, etc. a surface of
the touch sensitive display), pressing a key/button, interacting
with a microphone, activating a sensor (e.g., by shaking a device,
by modulating an orientation or position of a device, etc.), by
simply initiating provision of the breath sample (e.g., by blowing
into the sample receiving module), and providing the input in any
other suitable manner.
[0034] Furthermore, in relation to Block S420, a breath sample
signal derived from the breath sample can be transmitted from the
mobile computing device to a processing subsystem in communication
with the mobile computing device (e.g., by connection to a remote
server, in using on-board processing functions of the mobile
computing device, by connection to a cloud computing platform,
etc.). Additionally or alternatively, the breath sample signal can
be received at the processing subsystem directly from the sample
receiving module. However, reception of the breath sample and
generation, provision, and reception of the breath sample signal
derived from the breath sample can, however, be performed in any
other suitable manner.
[0035] In a specific example, Blocks S410 and S420 can facilitate
pairing between a Bluetooth transmission module of the Breathalyzer
unit and a Bluetooth module of a wrist-borne mobile computing
device 500, as shown in FIG. 9. In more detail, pairing can be
facilitated by way of a native application executing on the
wrist-borne mobile computing device and, upon establishing a
connection between the Breathalyzer and the mobile computing
device, the user can be provided with an option (i.e., a prompt) to
provide an input that indicates that the user intends to provide a
breath sample to the Breathalyzer. In the specific example, as
shown in FIG. 10, a touch-sensitive display of the wrist-borne
mobile computing device can be used to render a graphic that the
user can respond to with an input (e.g., by tapping the display, by
pushing the display, etc.) to initiate provision of the breath
sample. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the native application can
display one or more statuses (e.g., a warm-up status, an idling
status, a ready status, etc.) of the sample receiving module 202,
such that the user is informed regarding proper function of the
sample receiving module 202. Finally, when the sample receiving
module 202 is ready to receive the breath sample, the native
application executing at the wrist-borne mobile computing device
500 can guide the user in providing the breath sample, by rendering
a completion status meter at the display of the wrist-borne mobile
computing device, as the user provides the breath sample. However,
variations of the specific example of Block S410 and S420 can be
implemented in any other suitable manner.
[0036] Block S120 recites: providing a sobriety task to the user
proximal to at least one time point of the set of time points.
Block S120 functions to enable an assessment of the user's
abilities (e.g., motor ability, sensory ability, cognitive ability,
etc.) associated with at least one state of intoxication, as
determined from the set of samples collected from the user. The
sobriety task is preferably provided to the user at a user
interface in an electronic format, and in some variations, can be
provided to the user at a user interface of a native application
executing at an electronic device (e.g., mobile device) of the
user. As such, the sobriety task is preferably implemented in a
manner that incorporates functions enabled by sensors and
components of the electronic device, including one or more of
motion detection (e.g., by an accelerometer), location detection
(e.g., by a GPS), audio detection (e.g., by a microphone), audio
stimulation (e.g., by a speaker), visual stimulation (e.g., at a
display), reaction time detection (e.g., by a user input module and
a clock element), orientation detection (e.g., by a gyroscope),
optical detection (e.g., at an optical sensor, at an image sensor),
and any other suitable function. However, the motor skill task can
alternatively be provided to the user in a non-electronic format
(e.g., by a supervisor, by law enforcement personnel, by a
caretaker, by a family member of the user, by an acquaintance of
the user).
[0037] The sobriety task is preferably presented to the user
proximal in time to each time point of the set of time points
wherein the user provides a sample, such that performance of the
sobriety task by the user can be directly associated with an
intoxication metric derived from the sample. Furthermore the
sobriety task can be provided to the user with at least one round
of repetition, such that deviations between repeat performances and
average performance metrics can be assessed. In examples, the
sobriety task can be presented to the user in any one or more of
the following configurations: prior to (e.g., immediately prior to)
provision of a breath sample by the user at a breathalyzer, after
(e.g., immediately after) provision of a breath sample by the user
at a breathalyzer, and concurrently with provision of a breath
sample by the user at a breathalyzer. However, in other variations,
the sobriety task can additionally or alternatively be provided to
the user substantially removed in time from a time point at which a
sample is provided by the user, such that performance of the
sobriety task by the user is not directly associated with an
intoxication metric derived from a collected sample. In these
variations, the user's performance of the sobriety task can, for
example, be associated with a predicted value of an intoxication
metric (e.g., from the predicted temporal profile generated in
Block S150), or can, for example, be used to predict the value of
an intoxication metric of the user without collection of a sample
from the user.
[0038] The sobriety task can include a single task configured to
enable an assessment of the user's abilities (e.g., motor ability,
sensory ability, cognitive ability, etc.) associated with at least
one state of intoxication, and in one variation, can include a test
configured to gage a user's reaction to certain stimuli. In one
example, the user can be presented with one or more stimuli (e.g.,
an audio stimulus, a visual stimulus, etc.), and the sobriety task
can be used to assess the user's reaction (e.g., the user has a
reaction response, the user does not have a reaction response) to
the stimulus/stimuli. In another example, the user can be presented
with one or more stimuli (e.g., an audio stimulus, a visual
stimulus, etc.), and the sobriety task can be used to assess the
user's reaction time to respond to the stimulus/stimuli. In another
example, the user can be presented with a cognitive task (e.g.,
problem-solving task), and the user's ability to accomplish the
cognitive task can be assessed in Block S160. In yet another
example, the user can be presented with a cognitive task (e.g.,
problem-solving task), and the duration required by the user to
accomplish the cognitive task can be assessed in Block S160.
However, the sobriety task can additionally or alternatively
include any other suitable task.
[0039] In other variations, the sobriety task can include a set of
tasks, which can be provided in a consistent sequence whenever the
user is provided with the sobriety task(s), in a random sequence,
in an adaptive sequence (e.g., based upon the user's performance of
a task of the set of tasks), and/or in any other suitable sequence.
Furthermore, in embodiments wherein the sobriety task includes a
set of tasks, the complete set of tasks can be provided to the user
upon provision of the sobriety task to the user, or an incomplete
set of tasks can be provided to the user, based upon a selection
from the complete set of tasks by the user or by another entity. In
some variations, as shown in FIG. 2, the set of tasks can be
substantially identical to or analogous to tasks provided during a
field sobriety test conducted by law enforcement personnel. In
specific examples, the set of tasks can be configured to mimic
field sobriety tests standardized by the National Highway Traffic
and Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the United States of America,
which include a one-leg stand (OLS) task, which requires a user to
stand on one leg for 30 seconds to assess balance and coordination,
a walk and turn (WAT) task, which assess a user's ability to
balance and have his/her attention divided, and a horizontal gaze
nystagmus (HGN) task, which assess involuntary jerking of the
user's eye(s), indicative of intoxication. In variations of these
examples, the set of tasks can additionally or alternatively
include tasks configured to mimic tasks of any non-standardized
sobriety tests, including one or more of: a finger counting (FC)
task configured to assess cognition and vision, an alphabet
recitation (AR) task, a counting task, a task wherein the user
stands and slowly tips his/her head back, which enables an
assessment of balance, a finger-to-nose (FTN) task configured to
assess motor acuity, a hand-pat test, wherein the user
alternatingly pats one hand with the palm and the back side of the
other hand, and any other suitable task.
[0040] In specific examples, wherein a set of tasks configured to
mimic a field sobriety test is provided using an application
executing at a mobile device of the user, the set of tasks are
implemented in a manner that incorporates functions enabled by
sensors and components of the electronic device. In one example,
the OLS task can incorporate image sensor functions, accelerometer
functions, gyroscope functions, and/or clock functions to detect
that the user is standing upon one leg (e.g., as enabled by the
image sensor), and that the user has maintained balance for at
least 30 sections (e.g., as enabled by the accelerometer, the
gyroscope, and/or the clock). In another example, the WAT task can
incorporate image sensor functions, accelerometer functions, and
gyroscope functions to detect that the user is walking, is walking
in a straight line, and is performing walking tasks according to
instructions provided at a display and/or by the speaker of the
mobile device. In another example, the HGN task can incorporate a
moving visual stimulus at the display of the mobile device and
optical sensor functions that track an eye of the user as the user
visually follows the moving visual stimulus. In another example,
the FC task can present a number of objects at the display of the
mobile device, and the user can be instructed to identify and input
the number of objects presented. In another example, the alphabet
recitation task/counting task can instruct the user to recite a
portion of the alphabet or count in any order, and a microphone of
the mobile device can enable an assessment of the user's accuracy
in reciting and/or counting. In yet another example, the FTN task
can incorporate optical sensor functions, accelerometer functions,
and gyroscope functions to detect the motion of the user as the
user brings the mobile device in an outstretched hand to his/her
nose, and has successfully performed the task (e.g., by the optical
sensor).
[0041] Block S125 recites: generating a performance dataset
characterizing performance of the sobriety task by the user, and
functions to analyze the user's performance of the sobriety task.
The performance dataset preferably characterizes the user's
abilities (e.g., motor ability, sensory ability, cognitive ability,
etc.) associated with at least one sample of the set of samples, in
a quantitative manner. However, the performance dataset can
additionally or alternatively characterize the user's abilities in
a qualitative manner. As such, the performance dataset can include
quantified values of aspects of the user's performance of the
sobriety task, including one or more of: total response time (e.g.,
response time to complete a task), average response time across
repeat performances of the sobriety task, deviation in response
time between repeat performances of the sobriety task, total
reaction time (e.g., reaction time to a stimulus), average reaction
time across repeat performances of the sobriety task, deviation in
reaction time between repeat performances of the sobriety task, and
any other suitable quantified variable. Additionally or
alternatively, the performance dataset can include qualitative
aspects of the user's performance of the sobriety task, including
one or more of: performance success (e.g., the user accomplished
the task, the user did not accomplish the task), performance speed
(e.g., fast, medium, slow), reaction response (e.g., user reacted,
user did not react), and any other suitable qualitative
characteristic. As such, the performance dataset provides data that
can be used to analyze the user's sobriety in Block S160.
[0042] Block S130 recites: receiving a supplementary dataset
characterizing at least one of a demographic profile of the user
and a physiological state of the user, and functions to provide
enriching data that can be used to increase the accuracy of the set
of values of the intoxication metric determined in Block S140 and
S430 and/or the predictive power of the predicted temporal profile
generated in Block S150 and S440. The supplementary dataset is
preferably received at processing subsystem, such as the processing
subsystem described in Section 2 below; however, the supplementary
dataset can alternatively be received at any other suitable
processing element configured to use the supplementary dataset in
generating a set of values of an intoxication metric. In Block
S130, the demographic profile can include any one or more of
information related to: gender (e.g., male, female, etc.), age,
weight, height, ethnicity, marital status, profession, geographic
location, diagnosed medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, alcohol
intolerance), metabolic profile (e.g., fat/muscle content), family
history, genetic information, and any other suitable type of
demographic-related information. In Block S130, the physiological
state of the user can be determined based upon any one or more of
information related to: food consumption (e.g., amount/rate of
consumption), beverage consumption (e.g., amount/rate of
consumption), medication usage, activity (e.g., exercise, rest,
sleep), biometric information (e.g., heart rate, respiration rate,
pupilometric information, neural activity information, etc.),
emotional state (e.g., stress state), and another other suitable
type of physiological state-related information. The supplementary
dataset can, however, include any other suitable type of data in
addition to demographic data and/physiological state data.
[0043] The supplementary dataset received in Block S130 can be
generated by manual input (e.g., by manual input from the user)
and/or automatically based upon accessing of information databases
relevant to the user. In variations wherein the supplementary
dataset is generated by manual input, the user or another entity
can manually input demographic information and/or information
related to physiological state at a user input device, which is
received as the supplementary dataset. In variations wherein the
supplementary dataset is generated automatically, the supplementary
dataset can be generated at an aggregation module configured to
access, retrieve, and/or aggregate content (e.g., digital content)
from different sources (e.g., social network accounts, search
results, etc.). As an example, the supplementary dataset can be
generated by an aggregation module configured to access and
retrieve content from the user's Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
accounts, which can be used to provide demographic information,
location information, and activity information (e.g., exercise
regimen information, consumption information) related to a
physiological state of the user. In another example, the
supplementary dataset can be generated using a module configured to
extract food and/or beverage consumption information (e.g.,
information pertaining to products intended to be consumed by the
user, information from packages of products intended to be consumed
or consumed by the user, etc.) from image and/or text data, for
instance, using machine vision algorithms. The image and/or text
data can be input by the user by way of an application executing at
an electronic device (e.g., mobile device) of the user, wherein the
electronic device comprises an image sensor; however, in variations
of this example, the image data can additionally or alternatively
be accessed and retrieved using an aggregation module in
communication with the user's digital networks (e.g., digital
social networks). As such, object recognition (e.g., of food items,
of beverage items) and/or text recognition (e.g., of food labels,
of drink labels) can be used to enable automatic identification of
items that the user consumes, thus enriching the supplementary
dataset. The image/text data can also be time stamped, such that
the user's consumption activity can be associated in time with at
least one time point of the set of time points, to facilitate
generation of the predicted temporal profile in Block S150.
[0044] In the above examples and variations, the supplementary
dataset preferably includes temporally static information (e.g.,
demographic information) and temporally varying information (e.g.,
physiological state information), but can include only temporally
static information, only temporally varying information, and/or any
other suitable type of information. Preferably, each piece of
temporally varying information has an associated time stamp that is
automatically retrieved and/or generated, such that the information
can subsequently be associated with temporally varying intoxication
states of the user predicted in variations of Block S150. However,
the temporally varying information can additionally or
alternatively be retroactively time-stamped (e.g., by a user, by
another entity) in order to incorporate temporal information in the
supplementary dataset.
[0045] Block S140 recites: determining a set of values of an
intoxication metric, derived from the set of signals, and functions
to determine at least one value of an intoxication metric that can
be used to create one or more anchoring points for the predicted
temporal profile generated in Block S150. The intoxication metric
is preferably a blood alcohol content (BAC), which can be
determined from signals generated from one or more of: a breath
sample, a urine sample, a blood sample, and any other suitable
biological sample from the user, as described in relation to Block
S110 above; however, the intoxication metric can alternatively be
any other suitable metric characterizing intoxication of the user.
In variations wherein the set of signals is derived from breath
samples of the user, a BAC value corresponding to each breath
sample can be determined based upon the magnitude of an electrical
signal produced when alcohol in the user's breath reacts with a
sensing element of the sensor (e.g., a current magnitude produced
by a platinum-alcohol oxidation reaction for a fuel cell sensor, a
change in electrical resistance produced by an alcohol-dioxide
reaction for a semiconductor sensor, etc.). In other variations, a
BAC value corresponding to any other suitable type of sample from
the user can be determined based upon an electrical signal produced
in response to irradiation of the sample (e.g., by way of an
electrical pulse generated in response to absorption of infrared
light by the sample, using a spectrophotometer), by way of a
detected chemical change (e.g., as exhibited by a color change) in
response to a chemical reaction between the sample and a chemical
additive, or in any other suitable manner.
[0046] In relation to Block S430, determining the value of the
intoxication metric is preferably performed according to one of the
variations and examples described in relation to Block S140 above,
wherein determining the value of the intoxication metric comprises
determining a value of a BAC of the user at the first time point.
Preferably, the value of the BAC of the user is determined at the
processing subsystem, and comprises analyzing a magnitude of an
electrical signal (e.g., current magnitude, voltage magnitude,
etc.) produced when alcohol in the user's breath reacts with a
sensing element of the sensor (e.g., a current magnitude produced
by a platinum-alcohol oxidation reaction for a fuel cell sensor, a
change in electrical resistance produced by an alcohol-dioxide
reaction for a semiconductor sensor, etc.). However, as described
above, determining the value of the intoxication metric can
additionally or alternatively be performed in any other suitable
manner, and involve determination of a value of any other suitable
intoxication metric from any other suitable type of sample from the
user.
[0047] Block S150 recites: generating a predicted temporal profile
of the intoxication metric for the user based upon the set of
values, the set of time points, and the supplementary dataset, and
functions to create a predicted temporal profile of an intoxication
metric that is customized to the user and provides information
regarding the user's past, present, and future states of
intoxication in a quantitative and/or qualitative manner. Block
S150 is preferably performed using an embodiment, variation, or
example of the processing subsystem described in Section 2 below;
however, Block S150 can additionally or alternatively be performed
using any other suitable process system. When an individual
consumes alcohol, their level of intoxication (e.g., as assessed by
a BAC), will generally rise as alcohol is absorbed by their body,
and then fall back to zero as alcohol is absorbed and processed by
their body. As such, the predicted temporal profile characterizes
an intoxication metric vs. time for the user, which can be used to
predict when the intoxication metric for a user will reach a
specific value at a point in time. The predicted temporal profile
can thus be generated based upon one or more values of the set of
values of the intoxication metric generated in Block S140 as
anchoring points, as well as average profiles (e.g., rates) of
alcohol absorption and elimination as determined previously from a
population of individuals. Furthermore, generation of the predicted
temporal profile can include forward and/or retrograde
extrapolation of unknown future and/or past values of the
intoxication metric, in relation to the set of values generated in
Block S140. In an example, as shown in FIG. 3A, one value of an
intoxication metric, determined for a time point after which the
user has ceased alcohol consumption, can provide an anchoring point
for a region of the predicted temporal profile over which the
user's intoxication is declining, and average rates of alcohol
elimination as determined from a population of individuals can be
used to extrapolate the decline of the intoxication metric for the
user over time, as depicted in the graphic labeled as S150' in FIG.
3A. Thus, if the user's BAC (i.e., the intoxication metric) is
0.03% at a first time point of the set of time points and an
average elimination rate for a population of individuals is 0.015%
per hour, the predicted temporal profile can characterize a decline
in the user's BAC from 0.03% at the first time point to 0.03% two
hours from the first time point. In another example, also shown in
FIG. 3A, two values of an intoxication metric, determined for time
points after which the user has ceased alcohol consumption, can be
used to determine a slope for a region of the predicted temporal
profile over which the user's intoxication is declining. Thus, if
the user's BAC (i.e., the intoxication metric) is 0.05% at a first
time point and 0.03% one hour after the first time point, the
predicted temporal profile can characterize a decline in the user's
BAC at a rate of 0.02% per hour, which is a customized rate for the
user.
[0048] In the above variations and examples, the predicted temporal
profile, including regions of rising, peaking, and declining
intoxication, can further be adjusted and customized to the user,
based upon the supplementary dataset. In variations, the user's
alcohol absorption profile and/or elimination rate can be adjusted
based upon the demographic profile of the user, as shown in FIG.
3B, as contained in the supplementary information. In one example,
the predicted temporal profile can incorporate assumptions of a
decreased alcohol absorption rate, an increased alcohol elimination
rate and/or a BAC lower than average across all time points for a
given number of alcoholic drinks consumed, given that the user is a
male in his early 20's with a higher than average body mass index,
a low fat-to-muscle ratio, and a family history of high tolerance
to alcohol. In another example, the predicted temporal profile can
incorporate assumptions of an increased alcohol absorption rate, a
decreased alcohol elimination rate and/or a BAC higher than average
across all time points for a given number of alcoholic drinks
consumed, given that the user is a post-menopausal diabetic female
with a lower than average body mass index, a high fat-to-muscle
ratio, and a family history of low tolerance to alcohol. These
examples are depicted in the graphic labeled as S150'' in FIG. 3B.
In another example, the predicted temporal profile can incorporate
assumptions of an increased alcohol absorption rate, a decreased
alcohol elimination rate and/or a BAC higher than average across
all time points for a given number of alcoholic drinks consumed,
given that the user has been diagnosed with any one or more of:
deficiencies in alcohol dehydrogenase, deficiencies in aldehyde
dehydrogenase, diabetes, hypertension, depression, and epilepsy. As
such, the predicted temporal profile can be adjusted relative to a
population average profile of intoxication characteristics, based
upon specific demographic features of the user.
[0049] In variations of Block S150, the user's alcohol absorption
profile and/or elimination rate can be additionally or
alternatively adjusted based upon the user's physiological or
metabolic state, as contained in the supplementary dataset. As
such, as shown by the graphic labeled S150''' in FIG. 3C, data
related to any one or more of: food consumption, beverage
consumption, medication usage, activity, biometric information,
emotional state, and any other suitable factor near a time point
represented in the predicted temporal profile can be used to adjust
an alcohol absorption profile and/or elimination rate. In one
example, a region of rising intoxication in the predicted temporal
profile can incorporate a decreased alcohol absorption rate and a
lower peak BAC value post-consumption of a large meal, as
identified within image data contributing to the supplementary
dataset. In one example, a region of falling intoxication in the
predicted temporal profile can incorporate an increased alcohol
elimination rate post-consumption of a large meal, as identified
within image data contributing to the supplementary dataset. In
another example, a region of rising intoxication in the predicted
temporal profile can incorporate an increased alcohol absorption
rate and higher peak BAC value upon determination that the user is
consuming alcohol on an empty stomach, as identified with the
supplementary dataset (e.g., no images showing food consumption, no
user input of information relating to a consumed meal, no check-ins
at a food vendor location, GPS-based determination that the user
has not visited a food vendor, etc.). In another example, a region
of rising intoxication in the predicted temporal profile can
incorporate an increased alcohol absorption rate and higher peak
BAC value if the supplementary dataset includes biometric data
indicating that the user is experiencing stress (e.g., fast heart
rate, fast respiration rate, large pupil diameter, high neural
activity, etc.). In another example, a region of rising
intoxication in the predicted temporal profile can incorporate an
increased alcohol absorption rate and higher peak BAC value if the
supplementary dataset includes data indicating that the user has
consumed carbonated beverages (e.g., as identified using image
data).
[0050] In still other variations of Block S150, the user's alcohol
absorption profile and/or elimination rate can be additionally or
alternatively adjusted based upon reception and processing of
additional breath sample signals, derived from additional breath
samples provided by the user to the sample receiving module at time
points after the first time point of breath sample provision. As
such, the predicted temporal profile for the user can be
dynamically adjusted as the processing subsystem receives and
processes additional breath sample data, which can increase the
accuracy of the predicted temporal profile as time progresses.
[0051] In any of the above variations and examples, customized
aspects (e.g., elimination rates, absorption rates, intoxication
peak characteristics, etc.) of the user's predicted temporal
profile can be stored, used, and/or re-evaluated for future
assessments of the user's intoxication. As such, a historical
dataset (e.g., including at least one previously generated
performance dataset and at least one previously generated predicted
temporal profile) from the user can be used to refine predictions
of alcohol absorption and/or elimination characteristics of the
user, to increase the accuracy of the predicted temporal profile.
In some variations, the method 100 can further include generating a
prediction of a present value of the intoxication metric for the
user, based upon the user's performance of the sobriety task (e.g.,
from the performance dataset). Thus, in an example, a user's score
on the sobriety task can be used to determine an approximate
current BAC value for the user, for instance, when the user is not
near a sample receiving module. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4,
the users predicted temporal profile can be rendered in some visual
form (e.g., graphical form, text-based form), which can be provided
to the user or other suitable entity (e.g., as part of Block S170)
an example of which is labeled as S155 in FIG. 4. In one example, a
predicted temporal profile of BAC vs. time, customized to the user,
can be rendered as a line graph with selectable regions that
associate future time points with predicted BAC values for the
user. In other examples, some of which is shown in FIGS. 11A-11C,
information derived from the predicted temporal profile of BAC vs.
time can be rendered as a meter that indicates one or more of: a
value of an intoxication metric derived from a breath sample
provided by the user at a time point (FIG. 11A), an estimated value
of the intoxication metric at a current and/or future time point
(FIG. 11B), an estimated time point at which the user will reach a
target intoxication state (e.g., a state of sobriety), a duration
of time remaining until the user will reach a target intoxication
state (e.g., a state of sobriety, as shown in FIG. 11C), and any
other suitable information derived from the predicted temporal
profile. The user's customized alcohol absorption and elimination
rates can also be rendered or communicated, as well as any other
suitable information.
[0052] In relation to Block S440, generating the predicted temporal
profile of the intoxication metric is preferably performed as
described in an embodiment, variation, or example of Block S150
above; however, the predicted temporal profile of the intoxication
metric can additionally or alternatively be performed in any other
suitable manner in Block S440. Furthermore, Block S440 is
preferably implemented using an embodiment, variation, or example
of the processing subsystem described in Section 2 below; however,
Block S440 can additionally or alternatively be implemented in any
other suitable manner. In Block S440, generation of the predicted
temporal profile preferably includes generation of an estimated
time point at which the user will reach a target intoxication
state, based upon the value of the intoxication metric and the
first time point, as well as one or more of an elimination rate and
an absorption rate for the user.
[0053] In variations of Block S440, generation of the estimated
time point at which the user will reach the target intoxication
state (e.g., a state of sobriety, a state at which it is legal to
perform certain activities, etc.) can be implemented under the
assumption that the user has ceased alcohol consumption; however,
in other variations, generation of the estimated time point at
which the user will reach the target intoxication state can be
dynamically modulated in association with modulation of the
predicted temporal profile, based upon reception and processing of
additional information pertaining to behaviors of the user. For
instance, Block S440 can include receiving a supplemental dataset
comprising updated behavioral information of the user as time
progresses, which can be used to modulate the estimated time point
and/or the predicted temporal profile. In an example, the updated
behavioral information can comprise information that indicates one
or more time points associated with one or more alcohol consumption
events of the user, and the predicted temporal profile can be
adjusted accordingly to reflect a longer duration of time to reach
the estimated time point. Furthermore, the updated behavioral
information can be used as a trigger to prompt the user to provide
another breath sample, in order to increase the accuracy of the
estimated time point and predicted temporal profile in relation to
an additional breath sample provided by the user. As such, and as
shown in FIG. 12, Block S440 can further comprise Block S441, which
recites: prompting the user to provide a second breath sample at a
second time point after the first time point, and receiving a
second breath sample signal at the processing system; and Block
S442, which recites: adjusting the predicted temporal profile based
upon the second breath sample signal and the second time point.
[0054] Additionally or alternatively, Block S440 can comprise
allowing the user to provide an input at the mobile computing
device (i.e., a wrist-borne mobile computing device, a head-mounted
mobile computing device, a smartphone, a tablet, etc.) indicative
of an intoxication-related behavior of the user, which can be used,
by the processing system, to modulate estimation of the estimated
time point at which the user will reach a target intoxication
state, and or to modulate the predicted temporal profile. In this
variation of Block S440, the input can be associated with one of a
set of behaviors (e.g., consumption of one or more alcoholic
beverages, consumption of one of a set of types of alcoholic
beverages, exercise activity, eating activity, etc.). In an
example, The input can be provided at an interface of a wrist-borne
mobile computing device, wherein the user can indicate that he/she
has consumed one drink at a specific time point later than a time
point of the last provided breath sample. In this specific example,
the input can comprise tapping a touch-display of the wrist-borne
mobile computing device proximal a rendered icon that says "one
drink" (indicating that the user has just consumed one drink),
which adjusts the predicted temporal profile and estimated time
point at which the user will reach a target intoxication state.
Rendering of information provided to the user at the wrist-borne
mobile computing device would then account for the adjustments to
predictions based upon the user input. In variations of this
specific example, the processing system can be trained to
personalize the effect of one drink (or alternative
intoxication-related behaviors) based upon historical data
associated with the user, contextual information (e.g., demographic
information associated with the user, and/or an additional breath
sample provided by the user after the user provides the input. For
instance, the user's input of "one drink" can raise the user's
currently estimated BAC in a predicted temporal profile by 0.02 if
the user is a 150 lb male, and the user's input of "one drink" can
raise the user's currently estimated BAC by 0.035 if the user is a
100 lb female.
[0055] In still other variations, Block S440 can include Block
S443, which recites: reminding the user to provide a set of breath
samples according to a schedule of time points, by way of a
notification module executing at the wrist-borne mobile computing
device. Block S443 functions to facilitate reception of a set of
breath sample signals, distributed across a set of time points,
which can increase the accuracy of the predicted temporal profile
as time progresses. For instance, the set of breath samples can be
used to automatically adjust the predicted temporal profile upon
reception and processing of breath sample signals derived from the
set of breath samples. In Block S443, the schedule of reminders can
comprise regularly spaced time points, irregularly spaced time
points, a desired number of time points, or any other suitable
configuration of time points. Furthermore, the schedule of
reminders can be automatically generated, or can additionally or
alternatively be generated by a supervising entity (e.g.,
significant other, parole officer, parent, etc.) of the user, in
variations of the method(s) 100, 400 involving remote monitoring of
a user's alcohol consumption.
[0056] In Block S443, reminding the user can comprise one or more
of: rendering a textual and/or graphical reminder at a display
(e.g., of the mobile computing device, coupled to the sample
receiving module, etc.); visually reminding the user by emitting
light using a light emitting element (e.g., of the mobile computing
device, coupled to the sample receiving module, etc.); audibly
reminding the user by providing an audio output signal through a
speaker, (e.g., of the mobile computing device, coupled to the
sample receiving module, etc.); haptically reminding the user by
providing touch-sensitive feedback using an actuator/vibration
motor (e.g., of the mobile computing device, coupled to the sample
receiving module, etc.); and reminding in any other suitable
manner. In Block S443, provision of reminders according to the
schedule can be initiated upon receiving an input that indicates
that the user has opted for reminders to provide breath samples (an
example of which is shown in FIG. 13). Additionally or
alternatively, provision of reminders according to the schedule can
be automatically performed upon detection that the user has entered
an environment that provides alcohol (e.g., by using a GPS module
of a mobile device associated with the user, upon detection that
the user has checked-in at a location providing alcohol, etc.).
Additionally or alternatively, provision of reminders can be
initiated whenever a threshold duration of time has passed, during
which the user has not provided a breath sample, as shown in FIG.
14. Additionally or alternatively, the user can opt for provision
of a reminder at a desired future time point, based upon a factor
that prevents the user from providing a suitable breath sample at a
current time point. For instance, as shown in FIG. 13, if the user
has just eaten or consumed alcohol, Block S443 can allow the user
to opt for a reminder to provide a breath sample at a future time
point (e.g., 15 minutes later, 20 minutes later, etc.) when
provision of the breath sample is more suitable, in terms of
reflecting an accurate representation of one's intoxication state.
Additionally or alternatively, provision of reminders in Block S443
can be triggered or initiated in any other suitable manner.
[0057] In one variation, as shown in FIG. 15, Block S443 can
comprise reminding the user S444 to provide a set of breath samples
according to the schedule of time points, wherein, in a first mode,
if the user responds positively to a reminder and provides a
subsequent breath sample, providing reminders according to the
schedule of reminders continues S445. Alternatively in a second
mode, if the user ignores a reminder and fails to provide a breath
sample, providing reminders according to the schedule of reminders
ceases for at least a period of time S446, in the interest of not
over-engaging the user. However, once the user ignores a reminder,
a warning message (e.g., a message that informs the user that
provision of a breath sample will increase accuracy of information
provided to the user) can be rendered at a device associated with
the user, an example of which is shown in FIG. 14. In some
extensions of this variation, ignoring of a reminder by the user
can be used as a trigger to access additional information
pertaining to behaviors, locations, and/or statuses of the user,
wherein if the additional information indicates that the user is in
a compromised state, help can be provided to the user. In one such
example, a processing system associated with the system can send a
taxicab to the user's location, and facilitate delivery of the user
to his/her home in a safe manner. Additionally or alternatively, in
relation to a predicted temporal profile or a trigger state, the
user (or another entity) can provide an input that indicates a
critical intoxication state at which he/she desires intervention
(e.g., in the form of a ride home), and the processing system can
be configured to process the input and facilitate achievement of
the intervention when the critical intoxication state is reached by
the user. In a specific example, the user can thus indicate at an
interface of a native application that he/she would like to be
picked up when his/her BAC is above 0.05, and the processing system
can initiate sending of a car-ride service to his/her location. In
these variations or examples, a third party (e.g., entity
associated with the user, caretaker of the user) can be provided
with a bill for the car-ride service if the user's intoxication
state is above a certain threshold (e.g., the user is
incapacitated).
[0058] Block S160 recites: generating an analysis of the user's
sobriety based upon the performance dataset and the predicted
temporal profile, and functions to provide a customized analysis of
the user's past, present, and/or future intoxication state(s), so
that the user is able to effectively monitor his/her intoxication.
The analysis preferably incorporates the predicted temporal
profile, with a distribution of the intoxication metric for the
user over a given time window. The analysis also preferably
includes an assessment of the user's performance of the sobriety
task, as determined from the performance dataset, which can be
represented as one or more scores that represent the user's
performance of the sobriety task at time points captured in the
predicted temporal profile. For each relevant time point, the
score(s) generated from the performance dataset are preferably
based upon one or more of: a total response time (e.g., response
time to complete a task) to complete the sobriety task, an average
response time across repeat performances of the sobriety task, a
deviation in response time between repeat performances of the
sobriety task, a total reaction time (e.g., reaction time to a
stimulus of the sobriety task), an average reaction time across
repeat performances of the sobriety task, a deviation in reaction
time between repeat performances of the sobriety task, and any
other suitable quantified variable. Additionally or alternatively,
the score(s) generated from the performance dataset can be based
upon one or more of: a qualitative measure of performance success
(e.g., the user accomplished the task, the user did not accomplish
the task) converted to a binary score (e.g., 1=accomplishment,
0=failure), performance speed (e.g., fast, medium, slow) converted
to a quantization (e.g., fast to slow performance mapped on a 1-10
scale), reaction response (e.g., user reacted, user did not react)
converted to a binary score, and any other suitable factor. Thus,
for at least one point on the predicted temporal profile, the
analysis provides a sobriety task score that associates the user's
abilities, as assessed by the sobriety task, with an intoxication
state as assessed by the intoxication metric.
[0059] In Block S160, the analysis can also associate or annotate
data points along the predicted temporal profile with user
activities (e.g., meal consumption details and times, beverage
consumption details and times, biometric data events, exercise
events, medication events, rest events, etc.), as provided within
the supplementary dataset or other suitable source. In one example,
image and/or text data (e.g., images of meals, images of beverages,
status updates, etc.) of the supplementary dataset can be used to
annotate the predicted temporal profile, as shown in FIGS. 5A-5B,
based upon time stamps of the image and/or text data, as depicted
by the graphic labeled S160' in FIG. 5B. Furthermore, the analysis
can be rendered in any suitable manner (e.g., tabulated format,
graphical format, textual format, audio format, etc.) at a user
interface or other interface, such that the comprehensive analysis
is provided to the user and/or another entity. Additionally, the
analysis or a derivative of the analysis can be co-presented with
assumptions and factors (e.g., demographic factors, physiological
state factors, etc.) used to customize the analysis to the
user.
[0060] Block S170 recites: providing a notification to the user
based upon the analysis, and functions to provide an alert,
recommendation, and/or information that informs the user of an
effect of intoxication on his/her present or future behavior. The
notification can include a notification of any suitable type (e.g.,
visual notification, haptic notification, audio notification,
etc.), and can be provided to the user in any suitable manner
(e.g., using a messaging client accessible by the user, at a mobile
device of the user, by a supervisor of the user, etc.). The
notification can be provided automatically based upon a given alert
state (e.g., an automated notification upon detection that the user
is entering a dangerous intoxication state), and/or can be provided
when prompted by the user or other entity. The notification
preferably informs the user of his/her current intoxication state,
as shown in FIG. 4, which in examples informs the user that he or
she is: currently above a legal limit of intoxication (e.g., for
operating a vehicle), currently below a legal limit of
intoxication, or currently at an unknown intoxication state
relative to a legal limit of intoxication. In further examples, the
notification can inform the user that he or she is: currently below
a legal limit of intoxication, but should not perform relevant
activities (e.g., operating a vehicle, operating machinery) due to
poor performance of the sobriety task, currently at an unknown
intoxication state relative to a legal limit of intoxication, but
should not perform relevant activities (e.g., operating a vehicle,
operating machinery) due to poor performance of the sobriety task,
or currently above a legal limit of intoxication and should not
perform relevant activities, even though the user has performed the
sobriety task well.
[0061] The notification can additionally or alternatively inform
the user of a predicted future intoxication state, which, in
examples informs the user that he or she will be: above a legal
limit of intoxication (e.g., for operating a vehicle) at a future
time point, below a legal limit of intoxication at a future time
point, or at an unknown intoxication state relative to a legal
limit of intoxication at a future time point. Furthermore, the
notification regarding a predicted future intoxication state can be
governed by an input from the user or other entity. As such, in
variations, Block S160 can include allowing the user to input a
request for information regarding a future intoxication state, and
providing the notification based upon the request. In one example,
a user can thus request information for when his/her BAC will
return to zero (or any other suitable value), and the notification
can provide an answer with or without a degree of certainty in the
prediction. In another example, the user can request information
regarding an effect of a consumed meal or beverage on his/her
intoxication at a future time point, and the notification can
provide an answer (e.g., a predicted BAC value at the future time
point) with or without a degree of certainty in the prediction.
[0062] The notification can additionally or alternatively inform
the user of an analyzed past intoxication state, which, in examples
informs the user that he or she was: above a legal limit of
intoxication (e.g., for operating a vehicle) at a past time point,
below a legal limit of intoxication at a past time point, or at an
unknown intoxication state relative to a legal limit of
intoxication at a past time point. The notification can also be
coupled with contextual information for the past time point, such
as information provided in the supplementary dataset. In one
example, the notification can inform the user of a BAC level at a
past time point, and the location of the user when the user
demonstrated the BAC level, which can help the user identify the
location at which he/she lost an item in a state of inebriation. In
another example, the notification can inform the user of a BAC
level at a past time point, and an activity of the user (e.g.,
exercise activity, stress state, medication state), when the user
demonstrated the BAC level, which can help the user identify
correlations between the user's activities and the user's
intoxication states.
[0063] The notification can additionally or alternatively indicate
past, current, and/or future alcohol-induced behavior and/or
impairment of the user. In variations, the notification can provide
a BAC value for a past, current, or future time point, along with
typical behavior and/or impairment information. In examples of
these variations, the notification can include one or more of: an
identified BAC in the range of 0.010-0.029, which produces normal
behavior and subtle impairment effects; an identified BAC in the
range of 0.030-0.059, which produces mild euphoria, relaxation,
joyousness, talkativeness, decreased inhibition, and impairment of
the user's concentration; an identified BAC in the range of
0.060-0.090, which produces blunted feelings, disinhibition,
extroversion, impairment of reasoning, impairment of depth
perception, impairment of peripheral vision, and impairment of
glare recovery; an identified BAC in the range of 0.100-0.190,
which produces over-expression, emotional swings, anger, sadness,
boisterousness, decreased libido, impairment of reflexes,
impairment of reaction time, impairment of gross motor control,
impairment of speech, erectile dysfunction, and alcohol poisoning;
an identified BAC in the range of 0.200-0.290, which produces
stupor, loss of understanding, impaired sensations, possibility of
falling unconscious, severe motor impairment, loss of
consciousness, and blackout; an identified BAC in the range of
0.300-0.390, which produces severe central nervous system
depression, unconsciousness, possibility of death, bladder
dysfunction, breathing impairment, and disequilibrium; an
identified BAC in the range of 0.400-0.500, which produces general
lack of behavior, unconsciousness, possibility of death, breathing
impairment, and nystagmus; and an identified BAC greater than
0.500, which produces high risk of poisoning, and possibility of
death.
[0064] In some variations, Block S170 can further include enabling
the user to provide an input indicative of an estimated
intoxication state of the user S171, generating a comparison
between the estimated intoxication state of the user and an actual
intoxication state of the user (e.g., as derived from a breath
sample provided by the user proximal in time to the time point at
which the user indicates the estimated intoxication state) S172,
and providing a notification to the user, wherein the notification
is configured to facilitate convergence of the estimated
intoxication state and the actual intoxication state S173 in
instances of future alcohol consumption. Blocks S171, S172, and
S173 function to train the user in becoming more aware of his/her
actual intoxication state, such that the user can more effectively
estimate his/her intoxication levels during alcohol consumption.
The estimated intoxication state and/or the actual intoxication
state can be a past, present, or future intoxication state, such
that the user can be trained to estimate past, present, and/or
future states of intoxication during alcohol consumption.
[0065] In Block S171, the input is preferably provided by the user
by way of an application executing at a mobile device of the user,
wherein the mobile device is in communication with a processing
module configured to analyze the input in relation to the actual
intoxication state of the user. However, in Block S171 the input
can be received by way of an input module coupled to or integrated
with a system for monitoring respiration, as described in Section 2
below, and/or in any other suitable manner. In variations, Block
S171 includes allowing the user to provide an estimated BAC level
(e.g., past, present, or predicted future BAC level); however, any
other quantitative or qualitative estimated intoxication state
(e.g., cognitive ability, motor skill ability, etc.) can be
provided in other variations of Block S171. The comparison
generated in Block S172 preferably calculates a difference between
the estimated and the actual intoxication states of the user;
however, the comparison can additionally or alternatively calculate
any other suitable metric (e.g., a change in difference between
estimated and actual intoxication state, relative to at least one
past estimate of intoxication state) configured to train the user
in identifying his/her actual intoxication state at a given state
in time. In Block S173, the notification can be provided to the
user in any one or more of: a visual manner (e.g., at a display), a
haptic manner (e.g., using a vibration motor), an auditory manner
(e.g., using a speaker), and in any other suitable manner that
indicates the user's level of success in predicting his/her
intoxication state. In specific applications, Blocks S171-S173 can
enable the user to input an estimate of his/her BAC at an input
module (e.g., keyboard, touchpad, touchscreen, voice recognition
module, etc.) of a mobile device included in or coupled to system
for monitoring intoxication, and providing the notification at a
display of the mobile device in a visual manner.
[0066] In relation to Block S450, rendering an analysis can be
performed according to an embodiment, variation, or example of
notification provision described in Block S170 above; however,
rendering the analysis can additionally or alternatively be
performed in any other suitable manner. In one variation, Block
S450 can comprise transmitting commands that prompt the mobile
computing device to render an analysis derived from the predicted
temporal profile and informative of the estimated time point at the
user interface. In specific examples, Block S450 can include one or
more of: rendering a countdown timer that actively displays a time
duration until the estimated time point at which the user will
reach the state of sobriety S451, as shown in FIG. 16A; rendering a
summary that displays the current estimation of the value of the
intoxication metric for the user and the estimated time point at
which the user will reach the state of sobriety S452, as shown in
FIG. 16B; rendering a clock 501 that actively displays a set of
estimated values of the intoxication metric for the user at each of
a set of time points S453 (e.g., past, current, and/or future time
points), as shown in FIG. 16C; rendering a clock that displays time
points at which the user will be reminded to provide a breath
sample S454, as shown in FIG. 16D; rendering a value of the
intoxication metric derived from provision of a breath sample at a
historical time point, including a location at which the breath
sample was provided and a time point at which the breath sample was
provided S455, as shown in FIG. 16E; and rendering historical
values of the intoxication metric derived from breath samples
provided by the user in graphical form S456 (e.g., as a line
graph), as shown in FIG. 16F. In Block S450, renderings derived
from the analysis are preferably provided to the user at a display
of the wearable mobile computing device (e.g., wrist-borne mobile
computing device, head-mounted mobile computing device, etc.);
however, renderings derived from the analysis can additionally or
alternatively be provided to the user at a display of a mobile
device in communication with the sample receiving module, an
example of which is shown in FIG. 16G.
[0067] As shown in FIG. 1A, the method 100 can further comprise
Block S180, which recites: generating a longitudinal prediction of
an effect of the user's alcohol consumption, based upon the set of
signals and the analysis. Block S180 functions to enable a
determination of a change in the user's alcohol tolerance level
over time, which can be used to inform the user of adverse effects
of alcohol consumption or abuse. The longitudinal prediction is
preferably based upon accumulated analyses, such as analyses
generated in multiple instances of Block S160, but can be formed
based upon any other suitable data. In variations, the longitudinal
prediction is based upon tracking of the user's intoxication metric
values (e.g., from predicted temporal profiles) for given amounts
of alcohol consumed over time, in relation to changes in any one or
more of: performance of the sobriety task, behavior, impairment,
weight gain, weight loss, metabolism, organ damage, organ recovery,
and any other suitable expression of intoxication.
[0068] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the method 100 can further
comprise Block S190, which recites: guiding the user in at least
one of providing the set of samples and performing the sobriety
task. Block S190 functions to ensure that the user has provided the
set of samples properly, and/or to provide the user with
instructions in performing the sobriety task. In guiding the user
in providing the set of samples, Block 190 is preferably
implemented at a sample collection module and/or a user interface
of an application executing at an electronic device (e.g., mobile
device) of the user; however, guiding the user in providing the set
of samples can additionally or alternatively be performed in any
other suitable manner. In guiding the user in performing the
sobriety task, Block 190 is preferably implemented at a user
interface of an application executing at an electronic device
(e.g., mobile device) of the user; however, guiding the user in
performing the sobriety task can additionally or alternatively be
performed in any other suitable manner. In variations of the method
100 including guiding the user in providing the set of samples,
Block S190 preferably includes providing instruction to the user in
one or more of a visual format, an auditory format, and a haptic
format, but can additionally or alternatively include providing
instruction to the user in any other suitable format. Furthermore,
Block S190 can include pairing of a user interface, at which
guidance of the user is provided, with a sample collection module
by a wired and/or a wireless link (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi). In
examples, providing instruction can thus be implemented using one
or more of a display (e.g., of a mobile device of the user and/or a
display of a sample collection module), a speaker unit (e.g., of a
mobile device and/or of a sample collection module), a lighting
module (e.g., an LED array of a mobile device and/or of a sample
collection module), and a vibration motor (e.g., of a mobile device
and/or of a sample collection module).
[0069] In a specific example of guiding the user in providing the
set of samples, Block S190 is implemented at a mobile device
coupled with a breathalyzer module. In the specific example, Block
S190 includes: providing text instructions at a display of the
mobile device that guide the user in pairing of the mobile device
with the breathalyzer module S191, and prompting the user to
initiate provision of a sample of the set of samples S192. The
specific example further includes receiving an input from the user
to indicate initiation of sample provision S193 (e.g., by selecting
a button, by speaking into the mobile device), which causes the
mobile device to send an initiation signal to the breathalyzer
module. Block S193 thus facilitates activation of the breathalyzer,
which can include any one or more of warming up the breathalyzer,
burning off excess alcohol, calibrating the breathalyzer, and any
other suitable step. The specific example further includes
providing visual instructions at the display that guide the user in
providing a breath sample by blowing into the breathalyzer module
S194 (e.g., by using a graphical object that indicates the amount
of time that the user needs to blow into the breathalyzer). In the
specific example, a microphone within the breathalyzer module
senses that the user is providing the sample, and transmits a
signal to the mobile device to indicate that the user is providing
the breath sample. An application executing at the mobile device
can then display an indicator (e.g., a countdown indicator) to
guide the user in providing the breath sample over an adequate
duration of time. If the user provides an inadequate or otherwise
unsuitable breath sample, the application can provide an error
notification to the user. In variations of the specific example,
guiding the user can further include indicating at least one of an
air flow parameter and a force of blowing (e.g., using a pressure
sensor, using a flow sensor) provided by the user S195 at a display
of the mobile device and/or the breathalyzer module, and indicating
improper breath sample provision if the air flow parameter and/or
the force of blowing does not satisfy a threshold condition S196.
The specific example thus provides greater assurance that the user
has properly provided a sample of the set of samples.
[0070] In variations of the method 100 including guiding the user
in performing the sobriety task, Block S190 can include providing
instruction to the user in one or more of a visual format, an
auditory format, and a haptic format, but can additionally or
alternatively include providing instruction to the user in any
other suitable format. In examples analogous to those described
above, providing instruction can thus be implemented using one or
more of a display (e.g., of a mobile device of the user), a speaker
unit (e.g., of a mobile device), a lighting module (e.g., an LED
array of a mobile device), and a vibration motor (e.g., of a mobile
device). The guidance in Block S190 is thus provided in a
consistent format that strengthens analyses generated from the
user's performance of the sobriety task.
[0071] Also shown in FIG. 1A, the method 100 can further comprise
Block S210, which recites: transmitting at least one of the
predicted temporal profile, the analysis, and the notification to
an entity. Block S210 functions to share at least one aspect
related to the user's intoxication state with another entity (e.g.,
caretaker, friend, family member, supervisor) associated with the
user, which can facilitate monitoring of the user's intoxication.
The transmission preferably shares at least one of the predicted
temporal profile, the analysis, and the notification in a secure
manner (e.g., over a private message, with a unique URL, etc.), but
can alternatively involve sharing in a non-secure manner. In
variations, at least one of the predicted temporal profile, the
analysis, and the notification can be provided to the entity along
with any relevant activity and/or location information, as provided
in the supplementary dataset. In examples, the notification can
thus allow the entity to locate the user even when the user is
unable or unwilling to communicate, and can prepare the entity to
accommodate the intoxication state of the user (e.g., by sending a
taxicab to pick the user up). In these examples and variations, the
notification can also be provided in any suitable manner (e.g.,
messaging client, by a social network, etc.).
[0072] The method 100 can further include any other suitable blocks
or steps that facilitate monitoring of a user's intoxication.
Additionally, as a person skilled in the field of intoxication
monitoring devices will recognize from the previous detailed
description and from the figures and claims, modifications and
changes can be made to the embodiments, variations, examples, and
specific applications of the method 100 described above without
departing from the scope of the method 100.
2. System
[0073] As shown in FIG. 7A, an embodiment of a system 200 for
monitoring intoxication of a user includes: a sample receiving
module 210 configured to accept a set of breath samples of the user
at a set of time points; a sample processing module 230 configured
to analyze the set of breath samples; an electronics subsystem 240
comprising a power module 241 configured to power the sample
processing module 230 and a conditioning module 243 configured to
process signals generated by a sensor of the sample processing
module 230; a data link 248 coupled to the sample processing module
and configured to communicate a set of signals derived from the set
of breath samples; and a processing subsystem 250 including a first
module 252 configured to receive the set of signals, a
supplementary dataset, and a performance dataset characterizing the
user's performance of a sobriety task proximal to at least one time
point of the set of time points; a second module 254 configured to
determine a set of values of an intoxication metric, derived from
the set of signals; a third module 256 configured to generate a
predicted temporal profile of the intoxication metric for the user
based upon the set of values, the set of time points, and the
supplementary dataset; a fourth module 258 configured to generate
an analysis of the user's sobriety as derived from the performance
dataset, and a fifth module 260 configured to generate a
notification based upon the predicted temporal profile and the
analysis. The system 200 can further include any other suitable
element that facilitates monitoring of the user's intoxication,
such as a storage module 270 configured to store and/or transmit at
least one of the analysis, the notification, and the predicted
temporal profile.
[0074] The system 200 functions to provide a tool that allows a
user to monitor his/her alcohol consumption and behavioral effects
of intoxication in a compelling and intuitive manner. The system
200 can also guide a user's behavior at various stages of
intoxication, by providing notifications related to the user's
intoxication state. In this regard, the system can provide
short-term and/or long-term predictions of a state of the user, in
quantitative and qualitative manners, such that the user learns
about the physiological and/or behavioral effects of his/her
alcohol consumption. The system 200 can also incorporate a social
component, wherein information related to a user's
intoxication-induced behavior and/or physiological state can be
communicated to another entity (e.g., a supervisor, a caretaker, a
family member, an acquaintance).
2.1 System--Sample Receiving Module
[0075] The sample receiving module 210 includes a body 212 defining
a cavity 215 configured to accept the set of breath samples of the
user at a set of time points, and functions to provide a module
that facilitates reception and processing of the set of breath
samples.
[0076] The body 212 is configured to enclose at least a portion of
the system 200, and functions to protect elements of the system 200
over the lifetime usage of the system 200. In some embodiments, the
body can further function to enhance portability of the system 200,
such that the user can conveniently bring the sample receiving
module wherever he/she goes. As shown in FIG. 7B, the body 212 can
include a first body portion 213 and a second body portion 214
coupled together to form an interior chamber. In some variations,
at least one of the first body portion 213 and the second body
portion 214 can include a transparent or translucent portion 299
that allows elements within the body 212 to be visible or
identifiable. However, in other variations, the first body portion
213 and the second body portion 214 can be substantially opaque to
hide elements within the body 212. The body 212 is preferably
composed of a polymer (e.g., polystyrene) that is processed to
define features of the body (e.g., by machining, by injection
molding, by casting, by printing, etc.); however, the body can
alternatively be composed of any other suitable material and
processed by any other suitable process. In a specific example, as
shown in FIG. 7B, the first body portion 213 and the second body
portion 214 couple together to form an approximately rectangular
prism with rounded corners, wherein the first body portion 213
includes a transparent portion 299 located at the periphery of the
first body portion 213 that allows visualization of elements
internal to the body 212.
[0077] The cavity 215 is preferably included within a portion of
the interior chamber of the body 212, is coupled to the sample
processing module 230, and comprises a first aperture 216 and a
second aperture 217, in communication with the first aperture 216,
configured to facilitate sample inflow and outflow. The cavity 215
thus functions to facilitate transmission of a sample from the user
to be analyzed by the sample processing module 230. The first
aperture 216 and the second aperture 217 can be substantially
identical in geometry, such that the cavity has an axis of symmetry
(e.g., longitudinal axis of symmetry, transverse axis of symmetry),
and such that each of the first aperture 216 and the second
aperture 217 can function as both a sample inlet and a sample
outlet; however, the first aperture 216 and the second aperture 217
can alternatively be non-identical in geometry or in any other
suitable manner, as shown in FIG. 7B, such that the cavity 215 has
an orientation that is identifiable by the user and is configured
to only receive a sample from one of the first aperture 216 and the
second aperture 217. In one variation, the cavity 215 can be
defined by a tube form factor, as shown in FIG. 7B; however, the
cavity 215 can alternatively be defined by any other suitable form
factor that facilitates transmission of the sample from the user.
The cavity 215 can be of unitary construction with the body 212,
can be physically coextensive with the body 212, or can be coupled
to the body 212 (e.g., to an interior portion of the body 212, to
an exterior portion of the body 212) in any other suitable manner.
Similar to the body 212, the cavity 215 can also include a
transparent or translucent portion that can be illuminated (e.g.,
by a lighting module) to provide an indicator function for the
user. In a specific example, as shown in FIG. 7B, the cavity 215 is
partially coupled to the body 212 by a housing 218 that couples the
cavity 215 to a peripheral portion of the body 212, wherein the
housing 218 includes apertures that align with and provide access
to the first aperture 216 and the second aperture 217.
[0078] In some variations, the sample receiving module 210 can
further include a mouthpiece 219 configured to mechanically couple
(e.g., with protrusions/depressions, with slots, with keys, with
tabs, with threads, by press fit, etc.) to at least one of the
first aperture 216 and the second aperture 217, in order to
facilitate sample reception from the user. The mouthpiece 219 can
be configured to permanently couple to at least one of the first
aperture 216 and the second aperture 217, semi-permanently couple
to at least one of the apertures 216, 217, or reversibly couple to
at least one of the apertures 216, 217. Furthermore, the mouthpiece
219 can define unique identifiers (e.g., colors, textures,
geometric features, etc.) that facilitate usage of the system 200
by multiple users. In one specific example, the mouthpiece 219 is
configured to be reversibly coupled to the first aperture 216, such
that the mouthpiece 219 is a disposable and replaceable element of
the sample receiving module 210. In alternative variations of the
sample receiving module 210, however, the mouthpiece 219 can be of
unitary construction with one of the first aperture 216 and the
second aperture 217.
2.2 System--Sample Processing Module
[0079] The sample processing module 230 is configured to couple to
the cavity 215 of the sample receiving module 210, and functions to
facilitate analysis of the set of breath samples and generation of
a set of signals from the set of breath samples. As such, the
sample processing module 230 preferably includes a sensor 232
coupled to an electronics subsystem 240, wherein the sensor
interacts with a sample of the set of breath samples and the
electronics subsystem 240 conditions signals produced based upon
the sensor-sample interaction for transmission to a processing
subsystem for further analysis. The sample processing module 230 is
preferably housed within the body 212 of the sample receiving
module 210, but can alternatively be configured relative to the
sample receiving module 210 in any other suitable manner. The
sample processing module 230 can, alternatively, include any other
suitable elements that facilitate sample processing and
transmission.
[0080] The sensor 232 is preferably a fuel cell sensor that enables
measurement of a user's BAC by an electrochemical process. In
particular, the fuel cell sensor is configured to produce an
electrical current in response to oxidation of alcohol carried in a
breath sample, wherein the magnitude of the produced electrical
current varies in a predictable manner according to the amount
(e.g., relative volume) of alcohol carried in the breath sample. As
such, in some variations, the sensor 232 can be incorporated into a
fuel cell subsystem including a pump 233 configured to drive a
breath sample received from at least one of the first aperture 216
and the second aperture 217, through an intake 237 toward the
sensor 232.
[0081] The sensor 232 can alternatively be a semiconductor sensor
that produces a change in electrical resistance in response to an
alcohol-dioxide reaction, wherein the magnitude of the change in
resistance varies in a predictable manner according to the amount
(e.g., relative volume) of alcohol carried in the breath sample. In
a specific example, the semiconductor sensor can incorporate
tin-oxide as a sensing element; however, variations of the
semiconductor sensor can alternatively use any other suitable
sensing element. In other variations of the sensor 232, the sensor
can include a spectrophotometer configured to produce a signal in
response to absorbed or emitted light from alcohol molecules
carried in the breath sample, or any other suitable type of
sensor.
[0082] The electronics subsystem 240 comprises a power module 241
configured to power the sample processing module 230 and a
conditioning module 243 configured to process signals generated by
the sensor 232 for transmission and further analysis. As such, the
electronics subsystem 240 functions to provide power to elements of
the system 200, condition and/or preprocess signals generated from
received breath samples, and facilitate transmission of signals to
a processing subsystem for further analysis. The electronics system
240 preferably incorporates or is configured to couple to a data
link 248 for transmission of signals from the sample processing
module 230 to a processing subsystem for further processing and
analysis. Preferably, the electronics subsystem 240 complies with
relevant technical and safety standards, such that the system 200
is configured for "home-use"; however, the electronics subsystem
can be configured in any suitable manner.
[0083] The power module 241 of the electronics subsystem 240
functions to provide regulated and unregulated electrical power to
the sample processing module 230 and to allow power storage for the
sample processing module 230. The power module 241 preferably
comprises a battery 242, such as a lithium-ion battery that is
configured to be rechargeable, but can alternatively comprise any
other suitable rechargeable battery (e.g., nickel-cadmium, metal
halide, nickel metal hydride, or lithium-ion polymer).
Alternatively, the power module 241 can comprise a non-rechargeable
battery (e.g., alkaline battery) that can be replaced to further
enhance modularity in the system 200. The power module 241 can be
configured to have any appropriate profile such that the power
module 241 provides adequate power characteristics (e.g., cycle
life, charging time, discharge time, etc.) for the sample
processing module 230 within physical constraints provided by the
body 212 of the sample receiving module 210.
[0084] In variations where the battery 242 of the power module 241
is rechargeable, the electronics subsystem 240 can also comprise a
coil of wire and associated electronics that function to allow
inductive charging of the battery by an external power source and
the power module 241. Inductive charging provided by the charging
coil thus also facilitates patient mobility while interacting with
the system 200, such that the patient can be extremely mobile while
monitoring his/her intoxication. In alternative variations,
however, the charging coil can be altogether omitted (e.g., in
variations without a rechargeable battery), or replaced or
supplemented by a connection 244 (e.g., USB connection) configured
to provide wired charging of a rechargeable battery.
[0085] The conditioning module 243 functions to preprocess signals
generated by the sensor 232 prior to transmission from the sample
processing module 230, and can additionally function to regulate
elements of the electronics subsystem 240. The conditioning module
preferably comprises signal conditioning elements, including one or
more of: an analog-to-digital converter (e.g., to convert analog
signals sensor 232), an amplifier, and a filter for processing
signals prior to transmission. In some variations, the conditioning
module 243 can include a microprocessing subsystem configured to
direct signal conditioning functionalities of the conditioning
module 243 and a voltage regulator configured to protect elements
of the electronics subsystem 240 from overvoltage and/or
under-voltage states.
[0086] The electronics subsystem 240 can additionally or
alternatively comprise any other suitable element that facilitates
intoxication monitoring. Furthermore the electronics subsystem 240
can be coupled to a user control module 245 that interfaces with
the electronics subsystem 240, such that manual control of any
aspect of the sample receiving module 210 and/or the sample
processing module 230 can be performed by the user or any other
suitable entity. The user control module 245 can comprise a power
toggle (e.g., on/off button) for activating and/or deactivating the
sample receiving module 210. The user control module 245 can
further include input devices that allow the user to indicate
initiation of sample provision. Preferably, the user control module
245 provides a minimal number of controls (e.g., an on/off button,
a sample provision initiation button), but can provide any suitable
number of manual controls. The user control module 245 can be
touch-activated (e.g., with a touch screen, buttons, dials, knobs,
sliders), or can be activated using any other suitable manner
(e.g., sound activation). Preferably, the user control module 245
is integrated with the electronics subsystem 240, but in other
alternative variations, the user control module 245 can be
implemented remotely from the system sample processing module 230,
for example, using an application executing on a mobile device of
the patient.
[0087] The data link 248 functions to transmit an output of at
least one element of the electronics subsystem 240 to one or more
of: a mobile computing device 202, a processing subsystem 250, and
any other suitable computing device (e.g., desktop computer, laptop
computer, tablet, smartphone, wrist-borne mobile computing device
500, head-mounted mobile computing device, health tracking device,
server, cloud, etc.). Preferably, the data link 248 is a wireless
interface; however, the data link 248 may alternatively be a wired
connection. In a first variation, the data link 248 can include a
Bluetooth module that interfaces with a second Bluetooth module
included in the mobile device or external element, wherein data or
signals are transmitted by the data link 248 to/from the mobile
device or external element over Bluetooth communications. The data
link of the first variation can alternatively implement other types
of wireless communications, such as 3G, 4G, radio, or Wi-Fi
communication. In the first variation, data and/or signals are
preferably encrypted before being transmitted by the data link 248.
For example, cryptographic protocols such as Diffie-Hellman key
exchange, Wireless Transport Layer Security (WTLS), or any other
suitable type of protocol may be used. The data encryption may also
comply with standards such as the Data Encryption Standard (DES),
Triple Data Encryption Standard (3-DES), or Advanced Encryption
Standard (AES).
[0088] In a second variation, the data link 248 is a wired
connection such that the electronics subsystem 240 can communicate
with the mobile device and/or any external computing element
through a jack of the mobile device and/or external computing
element. In one specific example of the data link 248 that includes
a wired jack, the data link 248 is configured only to transmit
output signals from the electronics subsystem 240. In another
specific example, the data link 248 is configured to transmit data
to and from at least one element of the electronics subsystem 240
and a mobile device (e.g., for pairing of the mobile device and the
electronics subsystem, for synchronization between the mobile
device and the electronics subsystem). In this example, the data
link 248 can transmit output signals into the mobile device through
the microphone input of the audio jack of the mobile device and can
retrieve data from the audio output of the audio jack of the mobile
device. In variations of this example, the data link 248 can
additionally or alternatively communicate with the mobile device
via inter-integrated circuit communication (I2C), one-wire,
master-slave, or any other suitable communication protocol.
However, the data link 248 can transmit data in any other way and
can include any other type of wired connection (such as a USB wired
connection) that supports data transfer between the electronics
subsystem 240, the mobile device, and/or any other suitable
computing element.
2.3 System--Processing Subsystem
[0089] The processing subsystem 250 includes a first module 252
configured to receive the set of signals from the sample processing
module 230, a supplementary dataset characterizing at least one of
a demographic profile of the user and a physiological state of the
user, and a performance dataset characterizing the user's
performance of a sobriety task proximal to at least one time point
of the set of time points. The processing subsystem preferably also
includes a second module 254 configured to determine a set of
values of an intoxication metric, derived from the set of signals;
a third module 256 configured to generate a predicted temporal
profile of the intoxication metric for the user based upon the set
of values, the set of time points, and the supplementary dataset; a
fourth module 258 configured to generate an analysis of the user's
sobriety as derived from the performance dataset, and a fifth
module 260 configured to generate a notification and/or transmit
commands to a mobile computing device to render information based
upon the predicted temporal profile and the analysis. As such, the
processing subsystem preferably functions to implement at least a
portion of the method 100 described in Section 1 above, but can
alternatively be configured to perform any other suitable method
that facilitates monitoring of the user's intoxication. The first
module 252, the second module 254, the third module 256, the fourth
module 258, and the fifth module 260 can be implemented at a single
processing unit, or can be implemented using multiple processing
units (e.g., implemented in one or more of: the sample receiving
module, the sample processing module, the mobile computing device,
a cloud platform, a remote server, a computer machine, etc.).
2.4 System Other Elements
[0090] The system 200 can additionally further comprise a storage
module 270, which functions to retain data generated during use of
the system 200. The storage module 270 can be implemented with any
one or more of: the electronics subsystem 240, mobile device,
personal computer, web browser, external server (e.g., cloud),
local server, and any combination of the above, in a network
configured to transmit, store, and receive data. Preferably, data
from the storage module 270 is automatically transmitted to any
appropriate external device continuously; however, data from the
storage module 270 can alternatively be transmitted intermittently
(e.g., every minute, hourly, daily, or weekly). In one example,
data generated by any element can be stored on a portion of the
storage module 270 when the data link 248 is not coupled to an
element external to the electronics subsystem 240. However, in the
example, when a link is established between the data link 248 and
an external element, data may then be automatically transmitted
from the storage module 270. In other examples, the storage module
270 can alternatively be manually prompted to transmit stored data
by a user or other entity.
[0091] As shown in FIG. 7A, the system 200 can additionally include
a supplementary sensing module 280 configured to communicate with
the processing subsystem 250, wherein the supplementary sensing
module functions to facilitate reception and/or generation of data
related to any one or more of: food consumption (e.g., amount/rate
of consumption), beverage consumption (e.g., amount/rate of
consumption), medication usage, activity (e.g., exercise, rest,
sleep), biometric information (e.g., heart rate, respiration rate,
pupilometric information, neural activity information, etc.),
emotional state (e.g., stress state), user location information,
and another other suitable type of supplementary information (e.g.,
environmental data). As such, the supplementary sensing module 280
can include any one or more of: an image sensor 281 (e.g., for
generation of image data related to food, drink, or medication
usage), an accelerometer 282 (e.g., for activity data), a gyroscope
283 (e.g., for activity data), a location sensor 284 (e.g., GPS),
and a biometric sensor 285 (e.g., heart rate monitor, respiration
sensor, blood pressure sensor, electroencephalogram activity
sensor, etc.). The supplementary sensing module can also include a
manual input module 286 configured to receive manual inputs from
the user or another entity that provides supplementary data. In
some variations, involving automated generation of a supplementary
dataset as described in Section 1 above, the supplementary sensing
module 280 can include an aggregation module 287 configured to
access, retrieve, and/or aggregate content (e.g., digital content)
from different sources (e.g., social network accounts, search
results, etc.), and can additionally include object recognition
and/or text recognition modules 288, 289, respectively to enable
automatic identification of items that the user consumes. The
supplementary sensing module can additionally comprise a tagging
module configured to tag supplementary data with time information
to facilitate analysis and processing of data by the processing
subsystem 250.
[0092] As shown in FIG. 8, the system 200 can additionally include
an indicator module 290, which functions to guide the user in
properly providing a sample of the set of samples. The indicator
module 290 can be implemented using an application executing at a
mobile device of the user, and in variations, can incorporate
functions of one or more of: a display of the mobile device, an LED
of the mobile device, a speaker of the mobile device, a vibration
motor of the mobile device, and any other suitable element of the
mobile device. The indicator module 290 can additionally or
alternatively be implemented using a lighting module 291 configured
to couple to the sample receiving module 210 and the sample
processing module 230. One variation of the lighting module 291
includes a set of light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to
indicate that the user should initiate provision of a breath
sample, that the sample processing module 230 is processing the
breath sample, and/or that the user has improperly provided a
breath sample. In a specific example, as shown in FIG. 8, the
lighting module 291 includes a first LED 292 and a second LED 293
oriented proximal to the cavity 215 (e.g., a tube configured to
receive the breath sample), such that the first LED 292 and the
second LED 293 illuminate the cavity to provide an indicator
function for the user. In the specific example, the first LED 292
functions as a visual cue that guides the user in submitting a
breath sample into the cavity 215, and the second LED 293 functions
as a visual cue that indicates that the sample processing module
230 is currently processing the breath sample provided by the user.
As such, the first LED 292 and the second LED 293 in the specific
example are both coupled to the electronics subsystem 240 of the
sample processing module 230. Other variations of the indicator
module 290 can include any other suitable indication elements in
communication with any other suitable element of the system
200.
[0093] Variations of the method 100 and system 200 include any
combination or permutation of the described components and
processes. Furthermore, various processes of the preferred method
can be embodied and/or implemented at least in part as a machine
configured to receive a computer-readable medium storing
computer-readable instructions. The instructions are preferably
executed by computer-executable components preferably integrated
with a system and one or more portions of the control module 155
and/or a processing subsystem. The computer-readable medium can be
stored on any suitable computer readable media such as RAMs, ROMs,
flash memory, EEPROMs, optical devices (CD or DVD), hard drives,
floppy drives, or any suitable device. The computer-executable
component is preferably a general or application specific
processing subsystem, but any suitable dedicated hardware device or
hardware/firmware combination device can additionally or
alternatively execute the instructions.
[0094] The FIGURES illustrate the architecture, functionality and
operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and
computer program products according to preferred embodiments,
example configurations, and variations thereof. In this regard,
each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a
module, segment, step, or portion of code, which comprises one or
more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical
function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative
implementations, the functions noted in the block can occur out of
the order noted in the FIGURES. For example, two blocks shown in
succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or
the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order,
depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted
that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart
illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams
and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special
purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions
or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer
instructions.
[0095] As a person skilled in the art will recognize from the
previous detailed description and from the figures and claims,
modifications and changes can be made to the preferred embodiments
of the invention without departing from the scope of this invention
defined in the following claims.
* * * * *