Patent · US Expired

Breath alcohol analyzer

US4678057A · kind A · utility

54Cited by
5References
53Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 16, 1986
Grant dateJul 7, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 16, 2006

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N33/0006
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Disclosed is a system, both apparatus and method, for analyzing a breath sample (22). A transducer (24) senses the pressure, temperature and humidity of the breath sample and in response generates a breath signature signal (26). A sensor (28) detects the alcohol content of the breath sample and in response generates an alcohol signal (30). Also included is a breath reference (32), and an alcohol reference (34) which includes an alcohol threshold level (36). A first comparator (38) compares the breath signature signal with the breath reference, and in response generates either a valid signal (40) if the signals substantially match or an invalid signal (44) if the signals do not substantially match. A second comparator compares the alcohol signal with the alcohol reference, and in response generates either a passing signal or a failing signal depending on whether or not the threshold level is exceeded. In this Abstract, the parethetical reference numerals are included only to facilitate rapid understanding, and not to define or scope the Invention defined by the Claims.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.