U.S. patent application number 17/588051 was filed with the patent office on 2022-07-21 for bioresistive-fingerprint based sobriety monitoring system.
The applicant listed for this patent is SOBERLINK HEALTHCARE, LLC. Invention is credited to Casey Hanrahan, Brad Keays, Christopher J. Pursley, Daniel Rhodes.
Application Number | 20220230515 17/588051 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220230515 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Keays; Brad ; et
al. |
July 21, 2022 |
BIORESISTIVE-FINGERPRINT BASED SOBRIETY MONITORING SYSTEM
Abstract
A system and method of monitoring sobriety using a handheld
breath testing device that, on receipt of a user's breath,
generates a breath test signal comprising substance content data
and user identification data, and wirelessly transmits the breath
test signal to a breath test signal receiving station, and wherein
the breath testing device further includes a fingerprint reader and
a plurality of sensors.
Inventors: |
Keays; Brad; (Manhattan
Beach, CA) ; Pursley; Christopher J.; (Fullerton,
CA) ; Rhodes; Daniel; (San Diego, CA) ;
Hanrahan; Casey; (Fullerton, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SOBERLINK HEALTHCARE, LLC |
Huntington Beach |
CA |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/588051 |
Filed: |
January 28, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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17178240 |
Feb 17, 2021 |
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17588051 |
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16880976 |
May 21, 2020 |
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17178240 |
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16521484 |
Jul 24, 2019 |
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16880976 |
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15894781 |
Feb 12, 2018 |
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16521484 |
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15289881 |
Oct 10, 2016 |
9922508 |
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15894781 |
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62239648 |
Oct 9, 2015 |
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International
Class: |
G08B 1/08 20060101
G08B001/08; H04B 1/3827 20060101 H04B001/3827; G01N 33/497 20060101
G01N033/497 |
Claims
1. A handheld device for monitoring the sobriety of a user, the
handheld device comprising: a mouth piece for receiving a user's
mouth; a conductive area positioned on said mouthpiece; a user
identification device positioned on a case of the handheld device;
and a conductive area positioned on said user identification
device.
2. The handheld device of claim 1, wherein the handheld device is
configured to obtain a resistance measurement at the conductive
area positioned on said mouthpiece and a resistance measurement at
the conductive area positioned on said user identification
device.
3. The handheld device of claim 2, wherein the handheld device is
further configured to determine whether the resistance measurement
between the conductive area positioned on said mouthpiece and the
resistance measurement at the conductive area positioned on said
user identification device fall within a specified range.
4. The handheld device of claim 1, further comprising a wireless
transceiver.
5. The handheld device of claim 4, further configured to transmit
one or more substance content signals.
6. The handheld device of claim 5, wherein the one or more
substance content signals include a user identification.
7. The handheld device of claim 6, wherein the user identification
is a fingerprint.
8. A handheld device for monitoring the sobriety of a user, the
handheld device comprising: a mouth piece for receiving a user's
mouth and the user's breath; a conductive area positioned on said
mouthpiece for receiving a first resistance measurement; a user
identification device positioned on a case of the handheld device
for receiving the user's fingerprint; a conductive area positioned
on said user identification device for receiving a second
resistance measurement; and a wireless transceiver.
9. The handheld device of claim 8, wherein the handheld device is
further configured to determine whether the resistance measurement
between the first resistance measurement and the second resistance
measurement fall within a specified range.
10. The handheld device of claim 8, further configured to transmit
one or more substance content signals.
11. The handheld device of claim 10, wherein the handheld device is
further configured to transmit one or more substance content
signals if the resistance measurement between the first resistance
measurement and the second resistance measurement fall within a
specified range.
12. The handheld device of claim 10, wherein the one or more
substance content signals include a user identification.
13. The handheld device of claim 12, wherein the user
identification is a fingerprint.
14. A handheld device for monitoring the sobriety of a user, the
handheld device comprising: a camera for taking a digital image of
the user; a mouth piece for receiving a user's mouth and the user's
breath; a conductive area positioned on said mouthpiece for
receiving a first resistance measurement; a user identification
device positioned on a case of the handheld device for receiving
the user's fingerprint; a conductive area positioned on said user
identification device for receiving a second resistance
measurement; and a wireless transceiver.
15. The handheld device of claim 14, wherein the handheld device is
further configured to determine whether the resistance measurement
between the first resistance measurement and the second resistance
measurement fall within a specified range.
16. The handheld device of claim 14, further configured to transmit
one or more substance content signals.
17. The handheld device of claim 16, wherein the one or more
substance content signals include one or more user
identifications.
18. The handheld device of claim 17, wherein the one or more user
identifications include a fingerprint.
19. The handheld device of claim 17, wherein the one or more user
identifications include a digital image.
20. The handheld device of claim 17, wherein the one or more user
identifications include one or more of a fingerprint and a digital
image.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 17/178,240, filed Feb. 17, 2021, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/880,976, filed
May 21, 2020, now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 16/521,484, filed Jul. 24, 2019, now
abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 15/894,781, filed Feb. 12, 2018, now abandoned, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/289,881, filed
Oct. 10, 2016, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,922,508, which claims
priority pursuant to U.S.C .sctn. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/239,648, filed Oct. 9, 2015, the disclosures of
all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their
entireties.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to
remote sobriety monitoring, and more particularly to a method and
system utilizing a breath testing and biometric identification
device for periodically analyzing the alcohol content or other
substance content of the breath of a user.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] One of the challenges in remotely monitoring someone's
sobriety with a mobile breathalyzer is being able to say with
certainty that the person being monitored was the same person
taking a given breath test. Some current state of the art devices
use a digital imager to take a photograph of the user as they blow
into the device, and also rely on breath temperature and pressure
sensors to determine if an air source other than the user's breath
is being used. These devices were described in U.S. application
Ser. No. 13/357,494 (which is now U.S. Pat. No. 8,707,758, to
Keays), U.S. application Ser. Nos. 13/274,553, and U.S. application
Ser. No. 12/882,323 (which is now U.S. Pat. No. 8,381,573, to
Keays), the entire contents and disclosures of which are herein
incorporated by reference. This works well, however, the use of a
digital imager presents several issues that are less than
desirable. First, because the imager is typically close to the
user's face when they blow into the device, a wide-angle lens is
used to capture an image of the whole face. This results in an
image with a "fish eye" effect, making user hard to recognize.
Second, the digital image is sent with the test report. The
smallest image that is practical to use is a 320.times.240 jpeg
image. The maximum size of these images is roughly 20 Kbytes and is
by far the largest piece of data contained in the breath test. The
method outlined herein provides a means by which a user can be
positively identified without the need for a digital image.
[0004] It would therefore be desirable to provide a method and
system of providing supervisory monitoring of sobriety that is
discrete, portable, tamper-proof, effective, and including
bioresistive-fingerprint identification, and that can automatically
alert a monitoring station of the need for attention and possible
corrective or medical action by such a supervisory sober buddy or
sober companion on an on-call basis. The present invention meets
these and other needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Provided herein are embodiments of a handheld device for
monitoring the sobriety of a user. The handheld device includes a
mouth piece for receiving a user's mouth, a conductive area
positioned on the mouthpiece, a user identification device
positioned on a case of the handheld device, and a conductive area
positioned on said user identification device.
[0006] In some embodiments, a handheld device is provided for
monitoring the sobriety of a user. The handheld device includes a
mouth piece for receiving a user's mouth and the user's breath, a
conductive area positioned on said mouthpiece for receiving a first
resistance measurement, a user identification device positioned on
a case of the handheld device for receiving the user's fingerprint,
a conductive area positioned on said user identification device for
receiving a second resistance measurement, and a wireless
transceiver.
[0007] These and other aspects and advantages of the invention will
be apparent from the following detailed description and the
accompanying drawing, which illustrates by way of example the
features of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Illustrated in the accompanying drawings is at least one of
the best mode embodiments of the present invention In such
drawings:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a breath testing
and identification device for monitoring sobriety, according to an
embodiment of the invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary
operation of a breath testing and identification device for
monitoring sobriety, according to an embodiment of the
invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the method and
system for monitoring sobriety, according an embodiment of the
invention; and
[0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating another the
method and system for monitoring sobriety, according to an
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The above described drawing figures illustrate the described
apparatus and its method of use in at least one of its preferred,
best mode embodiment, which is further defined in detail in the
following description. Those having ordinary skill in the art may
be able to make alterations and modifications to what is described
herein without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, it
should be understood that what is illustrated is set forth only for
the purposes of example and should not be taken as a limitation on
the scope of the present apparatus and its method of use.
[0014] In the following description and in the figures, like
elements are identified with like reference numerals. The use of
"e.g.," "etc.," and "or" indicates non-exclusive alternatives
without limitation, unless otherwise noted. The use of "including"
or "includes" means "including, but not limited to," or "includes,
but not limited to," unless otherwise noted.
[0015] As used herein, the term "and/or" placed between a first
entity and a second entity means one of (1) the first entity, (2)
the second entity, and (3) the first entity and the second entity.
Multiple entities listed with "and/or" should be construed in the
same manner, i.e., "one or more" of the entities so conjoined.
Other entities may optionally be present other than the entities
specifically identified by the "and/or" clause, whether related or
unrelated to those entities specifically identified. Thus, as a
non-limiting example, a reference to "A and/or B", when used in
conjunction with open-ended language such as "comprising" can
refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including entities
other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally
including entities other than A); in yet another embodiment, to
both A and B (optionally including other entities). These entities
may refer to elements, actions, structures, steps, operations,
values, and the like.
[0016] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the
several views and embodiments, FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate embodiments
of a system and method for sobriety monitoring, utilizing a breath
testing and biometric identification device for analyzing the
alcohol content or other substance content of the breath of a user
in combination with a wireless or cellular transmitter or
transceiver device to transmit an alcohol content or other
substance content signal to a wireless or cellular signal receiver
and/or monitoring station.
[0017] Briefly, and in general terms, the present invention
provides for a method and system for monitoring sobriety of a user
on an automated basis, utilizing a hand-held breath testing device,
a wireless or cellular transmitter or transceiver device for
wirelessly transmitting results of the breath testing to a wireless
or cellular receiver monitoring station. The monitoring station
receives the breath testing results (and optionally identification
such as a fingerprint) from the wireless or cellular transmitter or
transceiver device, and indicates an alarm or otherwise alerts an
on-call monitor when the wireless or cellular transmitter or
transceiver is indicated to be off, or when the breath testing
results indicate a breath test content greater than a predetermined
threshold, or when the received breath is not the breath of the
user (which can be determined from the fingerprint and a resistance
measurement as described herein in more detail). The method and
system can be used in connection with a traditional sober buddy,
chaperone service on an on-call basis only, to limit the expense
and labor intensiveness of the supervisory care. Such a systems may
also be used to monitor abstinence from other drugs which can be
taken orally and tested by breath analyzer or the like without the
use of a chaperone on a continuing basis.
[0018] A cellular module can alternatively be provided inside the
breath testing and identification device that can send a breath
test report directly through WiFi, cell towers, or through other
mobile wireless networks such as those that do not rely on fixed
infrastructure, for example.
[0019] Described now in detail is a method and system for
monitoring sobriety of a user, for example, a recovering alcoholic,
as an intermediate, automated way of engaging the services of a
sober buddy, sober companion, sober coach, or other supervisory
care for the user to help, for example, ensure against relapse of
the user, and to help the user maintain sufficient abstinence from
alcohol or another substance to reside and function outside of a
treatment facility.
[0020] Fingerprint identification modules allow fingerprints to be
used in lieu of a password in mobile devices such as phones,
personal digital assistants (PDAs) and tablets. In order to use
fingerprint identification, these devices train the module on what
the users' fingerprints look like by having them place their finger
on the module in several different orientations. Once trained, the
module compares future fingerprints against these reference prints
to determine if a known user is trying to access the device.
However, using a fingerprint reader module alone in a breathalyzer
is often not enough, for example, the user could simply use his own
fingerprints but has someone else blow into the breathalyzer
device. There needs to be a way to confirm that the person blowing
into the device is the one whose fingerprints were used to initiate
the test.
[0021] To solve this problem, generally, the system of the
invention uses a "smart" mouthpiece for the user to blow into the
device when taking a test. In some embodiments, the end of the
device, where the user places his or her mouth during the blow, is
conductive. A conductive element may also be placed at the
fingerprint reader on the breathalyzer, so that when the user's
finger is on the reader it comes in contact with the conductive
element. After one or more fingerprints of the user have been used
to positively identify the user, the device will take a resistance
measurement between the fingerprint reader and the mouthpiece. If
the resistance falls within a specified range, the device will
determine that the finger currently on the fingerprint reader is
"connected" to the mouth currently on the mouthpiece, and the
fingerprint can be positively connected to the breath used for the
test.
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a
substance testing device 10 is shown. In this embodiment, the
substance testing device 10 is a breath testing device. The
substance testing device 10 may include a mouthpiece 22 and a user
identification device (UID) 24. The UID 24 is located on a wall of
the case of the substance testing device 10. The UID 24 may be
operable to generate a user identification data. In this example,
the UID 24 is a fingerprint reader. In FIG. 1, area A is the
conductive portion of the mouthpiece 22, area B is the conductive
element of the UID 24. Area A is sized to ensure that the user's
mouth will be in contact therewith while the user's mouth is placed
on the mouthpiece 22. The UID 24 and area B will be in contact
with, for example, a user's thumb (though any finger or multiple
fingers may be used), while the user is operating (e.g., holding)
the substance testing device 10. Although shown as a horizontally
elongated tube, the mouthpiece 22 may be in other shape suitable
for the user to place his or her mouth over and to breath into.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 2, an exemplary operation of the substance
testing device 10 is shown. The substance testing device 10 may be
a hand held substance testing device operable to test for the
presence of alcohol or other substance in the breath of the user.
The testing device 10 may also operate to test the quantity of
alcohol or other substance in the breath of the user. One or more
components of the substance testing device 10 can be found in the
embodiments described in the incorporated references mentioned
herein. For example, the substance testing device 10 may include a
breath testing sensor, a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly, a
transceiver unit, a GPS module, a camera, and so on.
[0024] A shown, when the user operates the substance testing device
10, the user places his or her mouth over the mouthpiece 22 and
area A, so that area A is in contact with the user's mouth. The
user holds the substance testing device 10 so that his or her
fingerprint (e.g., thumb's fingerprint as shown) will be on the UID
24 and in contact with area B. The user blows into the substance
testing device 10 while holding the substance testing device
10.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 3, in an exemplary embodiment, a substance
testing device 10, a transceiver unit 12, a receiving station 14,
and a supervisory monitor 16 may be provided for testing and
positively identifying a user. The transceiver unit 12 may be
configured to transmit a content signal 11 to the receiving station
14. The content signal 11 is generated by the substance testing
device 10 and includes at least substance content data. For
example, the testing device 10 may be a breathalyzer type testing
device operable to analyze the alcohol content of the breath of a
user and generate an alcohol content signal indicative of the
alcohol content of the user's breath.
[0026] The substance content signal 11 may also include a user
identification data, for example, fingerprint data. Alternatively,
the user identification data may be transmitted to the receiving
station 14 separately from the content signal 11.
[0027] In some embodiments, the content signal 11 is generated by
the substance testing device 10 only if the substance testing
device 10 determines that the finger currently on the fingerprint
reader is "connected" to the mouth currently on the mouthpiece, and
the fingerprint can be positively connected to the breath used for
the test as described herein.
[0028] In at least one embodiment, the content signal 11 includes a
digitized report which may be accessible by a supervisory monitor
16. All transmission described herein may occur over a wireless,
wired, cellular, or any other type of network now known or
hereafter developed. In at least one embodiment, the transceiver
unit 12 is internal to the substance testing device 10 and is a
hardware component thereof.
[0029] The receiving station 14 may be configured to receive the
content signal 11. The receiving station 14 may be configured to
inform the supervisory monitor 16 if the content signal 11 is not
received from the transceiver at a predetermined time, or if the
content signal 11 indicates that the substance content levels
exceed a predetermined threshold. For example, the typical legal
limit of blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08%. Thus, receiving
station may inform the supervisory monitor 16 if the content signal
indicates the user's BAC is greater than 0.08%. Importantly, the
predetermined threshold may be set at a higher or lower level as
may be desired. Additionally, the receiving station 14 may be
configured to convey the content signal 11, or a report based
thereon, directly to the supervisory monitor 16 so that the
supervisory monitor 16 is made aware of the substance content data.
Thus, for example, the receiving station may inform the supervisory
monitor 16 (who may be, for example, a parent or guardian) that the
user (who may be, for example, a teenage child of the parent or
guardian) has a BAC of 0.03%.
[0030] In some embodiments, the receiving station 14 may include
any location, device or system where the content signal 11 is
received, including, for example: a monitoring station, a
cellular/smart phone, an email account, a website, a network
database, and a memory device. Additionally, the supervisory
monitor 16 may comprise a parent, guardian, family member, friend,
parole officer, court appointed supervisor, sobriety coach, sober
buddy, sober companion, police department, or other supervisory
care person, group, or authority.
[0031] Preferably, the entire test and fingerprint reading and user
identification process should take less than 60 seconds. The
receiving station 14, for example, a monitoring station, website or
server, can automatically evaluate the content signal 11 and
maintain a history of the test time, result and the user
identification data for each test. The receiving station 14 can
also include a database and software for analysis of user
identification data to confirm or reject the test results, and to
determine whether corrective action is required. As explained
herein, identification of the user in association with the content
signal 11 may be aided by fingerprint recognition. Other
recognition techniques now known or developed hereafter, for
example, facial recognition, voice recognition, DNA recognition,
and iris recognition may also be considered. Additionally, a
supervisor may compare the received user identification data with a
stored user identification reference in order to positively
identify the user. The monitoring station can also provide a
variety of reports of the user's testing history or individual test
results to allow comprehensive and detailed analysis of the user's
testing history, which can be accessed via the Internet as desired.
The generated reports may be official Department of Transportation
Evidential Breath Testing (EBT) reports, or may be of any other
custom or preset format. In some embodiments, still frame
photographs or movies used in identification of the user may also
be included in the reports.
[0032] It will be appreciated that user identification may occur
independent of the receiving station 14. For example, a user
identification module of the substance testing device 10 may
include a memory that may store a reference user identification
data for comparison with the generated user identification data.
Upon successful comparison, i.e. the actual user is the intended
user, the user identification module may communicate a pass signal
which may be added to the content signal 11.
[0033] As previously described, the substance testing device 10 may
include a breathalyzer type device, which includes a mouthpiece 22
configured to be placed at or in a user's mouth during breath
testing, and a fingerprint reader device 24. The mouthpiece 22 may
be mounted to an end of an extension portion which is in turn
connected to a breath analysis and processing portion of the breath
testing device 10. The fingerprint reader device 24 may be suitably
configured where the user places his thumb during breath testing,
and may be configured to read the user's fingerprint in
synchronization with the testing of the user's breath, to provide
identification information for later use in positive identification
of the user with the test results. After the fingerprints have been
used to positively identified the user, the testing device 10 will
take a resistance measurement between the fingerprint reader 24 and
the mouthpiece 22. If the resistance falls within a specified
range, the testing device 10 will know that the finger currently on
the fingerprint reader 24 is "connected" to the mouth currently on
the mouthpiece 22, and the fingerprint can be positively connected
to the breath used for the test. For example, if a test is
initiated and the resistance value between the mouthpiece 22 and
the fingerprint reader 24 is equal to or greater than 4 mega-Ohms,
it can be concluded that the mouth and finger do not belong to the
same person. If the resistance value between the mouthpiece and the
fingerprint reader is less than 4 mega-Ohms it can be concluded
that the mouth and finger belong to the same person.
[0034] In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 22 may be removable.
[0035] The substance testing device 10 may include a status LED,
for example, for indicating when the device is ready for use and
when the device has completed breath testing and
identification.
[0036] In some embodiments, the breath testing sensor (not shown)
of the testing device 10 includes a sensor capable of detecting the
presence of at least one controlled substance or narcotic. The
sensor may utilize, for example, a chromatography sensors, mass
spectroscopy sensors, fiber optic fluorescent sensors, or surface
acoustic wave sensors to detect the presence of controlled
substances or narcotics and their derivatives, such as, for
example: methamphetamines, amphetamines, barbituates,
tetrahydrocannabinol or other cannibanoids, benzoylmethylecgonine,
diacetylmorphine or other opiates/opioids, lysergic acid
diethylamide, psilocin, phencyclidine and the like, in a user's
breath.
[0037] The PCB assembly is configured to receive the substance
content data and generate a breath test signal 11 therefrom. The
PCB assembly is also configured to receive user identification data
generated by the fingerprint reader 24 and to generate the breath
test signal 11 from the user identification data (which may be
compressed) and the substance content data. In some embodiments,
the PCB is configured to operate a compression process to compress
the user identification data.
[0038] Additionally, the substance testing device 10 may utilize
software algorithms analyzing pressure and temperature sensor data
to ensure that the breath being analyzed is that of a person.
Accordingly, the substance testing device 10 may comprise one or
more pressure gauges (not shown) and/or temperature sensors (not
shown) at various points thereon.
[0039] In some embodiments, the substance testing device 10 may be
connected to a mobile wireless or cellular transmitter or
transceiver device, which may be connected to the substance testing
device 10 either directly, such as by an electrical connection, or
wirelessly, to receive the breath test signal 11 including breath
test data, fingerprint data, photograph, movie, or other user
identification data, as well as any GPS location data.
[0040] In some embodiments, the substance testing device 10 can
also be usable in combination with an iPad.TM., iPhone.TM., or
other wireless or cellular device, or any other computing device,
for example, which can serve as a wireless or cellular transmitter
or transceiver device, as discussed herein.
[0041] In some embodiments, the content signal 11 including at
least one of: content data, user identification data, and location
data, can be sent directly from one mobile wireless or cellular
transmitter or transceiver device to another mobile wireless or
cellular transmitter or transceiver device, without storing one or
more of the content data, user identification data, or location
data.
[0042] The wireless or cellular receiver monitoring station 16 can
be configured to receive the content signal comprising at least one
of: content data, user identification data, and location data, and
to indicate an alarm condition or alert a supervisory monitor
either directly or via a network.
[0043] In some embodiments, the substance testing device 10 may
also be included in or connected to a vehicle ignition interlock
signal generating system. The output of the substance testing
device 10 may be provided to enable/disable a vehicle ignition lock
based on the data received in accordance with the algorithms
described above. In addition, an on-call supervisory person may be
alerted, and a receiving station 16 may also receive the
enable/disable signal as well as the content signal 11 described
above.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 4, in an exemplary embodiment, a schematic
of a substance testing device 10 is shown. In the example, the
substance testing device 10 is a breath testing device. The testing
unit 10 may comprise an internal cell module 500, the testing unit
10 here being a stand-alone unit.
[0045] The testing unit 10 may include at least: the user
identification module 24, the breath analysis module 340, the
control module (CPU) 360, the cellular module 500 and a GPS module
310, and so on.
[0046] The cellular module 500 may include a transceiver operable
to transmit the breath test data to the monitoring station 600. The
GPS module 310 may enable the tracking of the testing unit 10 by
the generation of location data. A breath test signal may be
generated, at least in part, by the location data.
[0047] The testing unit 10 may also include a personal area network
(PAN) or Bluetooth (or suitable short-range communication) module
380, enabling the testing unit 10 to be in communication with the
monitoring station 600. The module 380, for example a vehicle
interlock 700.
[0048] Communication between the module 380 and the monitoring
station may be secured by data encryption techniques now known or
hereafter devised. For example, data may be encrypted by means of a
random security PIN. Devices that are compromised may be forced
from the monitoring station server and may require re-activation
and authentication.
[0049] The testing unit 10 may also include a graphical user
interface 330 (GUI). The GUI may permit the user to interactively
control the breath testing process, calibrate the breath testing
unit, schedule breath test times, retrieve past breath test
reports, and/or access other information stored in the testing unit
10.
[0050] The GUI 330 may be configured to display a reminder at a
predetermined time, the reminder reminding the user that a breath
testing session is due. Additionally, the testing unit 10 may cause
users to receive electronic reminders via SMS, email, or
bi-directional communication between the testing unit 10 and a
receiving station. Additionally, the testing unit 10 may enable the
user to receive breath test requests from the monitoring station
600. Such requests may be remotely or directly transmitted to the
testing unit 10. Such requests may also be randomly timed.
[0051] The testing unit 10 may also include an audio means, such as
a speaker, for generating an audio reminder that a breath testing
session is due. The tone and/or duration of the audio alert may
indicate the urgency of the required breath testing session. For
example, three beeps may indicate a session is required
immediately, while one beep may indicate a session will be due
shortly. The audio means may also be configured to generate a
vibration reminder according to methods known in the art.
[0052] It will be appreciated, that while at least one embodiment
is herein described through example as testing for alcohol use,
such embodiments may be equally applicable to testing for the use
of controlled substances or other narcotics, as described
herein.
[0053] Other exemplary embodiments and processes of the substance
testing device are further described in the references mentioned
above and are incorporated in entirety by reference herein.
[0054] The embodiments described in detail above are considered
novel over the prior art of record and are considered critical to
the operation of at least one aspect of the apparatus and its
method of use and to the achievement of the above described
objectives. The words used in this specification to describe the
instant embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of
their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special
definition in this specification: structure, material or acts
beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an
element can be understood in the context of this specification as
including more than one meaning, then its use must be understood as
being generic to all possible meanings supported by the
specification and by the word or words describing the element.
[0055] The definitions of the words or drawing elements described
herein are meant to include not only the combination of elements
which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure,
material or acts for performing substantially the same function in
substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result.
In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent
substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the
elements described and its various embodiments or that a single
element may be substituted for two or more elements.
[0056] Changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a
person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised,
are expressly contemplated as being equivalents within the scope
intended and its various embodiments. Therefore, obvious
substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the
art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.
This disclosure is thus meant to be understood to include what is
specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually
equivalent, what can be obviously substituted, and also what
incorporates the essential ideas.
[0057] The scope of this description is to be interpreted only in
conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here,
that each named inventor believes that the claimed subject matter
is what is intended to be patented.
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