DE102022204281A1 - Method for analyzing a quantity of a gas present within a vehicle, use of analytical data and use of an analysis device as well as analysis device, analysis system and vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for analyzing a quantity of a gas present within a vehicle (1000), comprising or consisting of (i) the exhaled air of one or more vehicle occupants or (ii) a fraction of this exhaled air, with the following steps: - Providing (S1) the amount of gas within the vehicle (1000), - for determining (S2) analytical data about the composition of the exhaled air, qualitative and/or quantitative analytical determination (S3) of the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds in the amount of gas provided .

Description

The invention relates to a method for analyzing a quantity of a gas present within a vehicle, comprising or consisting of the exhaled air of one or more vehicle occupants or a fraction of this exhaled air. The invention relates in particular to a method for evaluating a measure of a vehicle occupant's ability to drive. The invention also relates to a use of analytical data and a use of an analysis device.

The invention relates to an analysis device, which is designed to be implemented in a vehicle, for analyzing a quantity of a gas present within a vehicle, comprising or consisting of the exhaled air of one or more vehicle occupants or a fraction of this exhaled air, and an analysis system having the analysis device. The invention also relates to a vehicle.

Driver monitoring is becoming increasingly important for assisted and automated driving up to SAE J3016 Level 3. But the importance will also be present at SAE J3016 Level 4 or 5, as a human driver must be available to drive a vehicle in the event of a system inadequacy. In addition, it makes sense in principle to make monitoring information regarding the status of a passenger in a vehicle - whether as an active driver or as a passive passenger - available to the vehicle system. The focus here is, among other things, on the early detection of any inability to drive due to the consumption of alcohol or other drugs.

In this context, the analysis of exhaled air fundamentally offers the possibility of largely contact-free, preferably continuous, physiological monitoring of the driver and/or other vehicle occupants. An analysis of breathing air has generally proven itself as a primary approach, especially for assessing driving ability - but, as it turns out, proper analysis is by no means self-evident and can be improved in many respects.

DE 10 2020 203 584 A1 discloses a processing unit, a system and a computer-implemented method for a vehicle interior for sensing and responding to odors of a vehicle occupant. DE 10 2018 200 003 A1 discloses a method for analyzing the breath of vehicle occupants.

Due to existing legal requirements for a mandatory alcohol interlock system in all vehicles and the continued legalization of cannabis in parts of the EU and the United States, new solutions for detecting driver impairment caused by alcohol and cannabis abuse are required.

In contrast to the gas-based alcohol detectors and breath alcohol-controlled immobilizers already established on the market, which are primarily specialized in detecting a substance, there is not yet an equivalent technology available that can detect one or more substances that indicate cannabis. In particular, detection designed for cannabis should be able to be further miniaturized and installed in the vehicle as inconspicuously as possible.

A fundamental problem is that unwanted molecules with other substances in the ambient and exhaled air can enter the analysis device and falsify the measured values of the substances to be detected.

Another problem with cannabis is that the respiratory gas-based detection of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, is difficult due to the physicochemical properties of this molecule. THC detectors sometimes work with time-consuming sampling and enrichment processes that are sometimes based on disposable components or are perceived as not being sufficiently sensitive. Detection in the vehicle based on this, in particular a fully or partially implementable vehicle implementation, is particularly problematic because of the effort associated with THC detection.

WO 2019/027723 A1 describes the use of FTiR absorption spectroscopy to detect narcotics such as tetrahydrocannabiol (THC) in exhaled air using a hand-held device. A filter material is inserted into a cartridge in the device, and aerosols from the breathing air are then absorbed directly into the cartridge.

US 9,921,234 B1 discloses that chemical compositions can provide fluorescence-based labeling, detection and measurement of target substances in exhaled human breath via a suitable method. To do this, THC from breathing air is introduced into a recording medium, which is then brought into solution, isolated as a THC sample and stimulated to fluoresce.

WO 2020/026120 A1 discloses an exemplary breath analysis system that may include a sampling chamber with a molecule collector disposed therein. A molecule detector should be configured in such a way that volatile organic compounds (VOCs), - here also based on THC - which are present in a breath sample, adhere to the molecule collector in the sampling chamber.

All of the aforementioned methods work with concentrates from breathing air or require that the breathing air be introduced directly into a special recording environment to obtain the concentrate.

There is a need for an analytical method and a device (in particular an analysis device and an analysis system) which enable improved gas analysis in a vehicle, preferably enabling continuous, largely reliable and automatable assessment of possible driver impairment due to cannabis, in particular in real time. In other words, it is desirable to have a corresponding method and a device that is suitable for automated use in a vehicle for constant accompaniment or availability during a driving situation.

According to a first aspect, the invention is based on the object of specifying methods and a device by means of which an analytical evaluation of exhaled air in relation to cannabis is possible in an advantageous manner, i.e. in particular in a reliable and automatable manner for a driving process, preferably continuously, in particular in real time . An improved analytical assessment of the exhaled air of one or more vehicle occupants of a vehicle should be possible, particularly with regard to cannabis.

The invention is based on the specific task of specifying a method and a device by means of which a, preferably continuous, assessment of possible driver impairment due to cannabis is possible in an improved manner, preferably in real time.

A further aspect of the invention is based on the task of specifying a corresponding method for assessing the driving ability of a vehicle occupant.

Further aspects of the invention result from the following text and the attached patent claims.

• - Bereitstellen der Menge des Gases innerhalb des Fahrzeugs,
• - zum Ermitteln von analytischen Daten über die Zusammensetzung der Ausatemluft qualitatives und/oder quantitatives analytisches Bestimmen der Anwesenheit von einer oder mehreren gasförmigen schwefelhaltigen Verbindungen in der bereitgestellten Menge des Gases.

It has surprisingly been shown that the object of the present invention is achieved according to a first aspect by a method for analyzing a quantity of a gas present within a vehicle, comprising or consisting of (i) the exhaled air of one or more vehicle occupants or (ii) a fraction of this exhaled air, with the following steps:

• - Providing the amount of gas within the vehicle,
• - to determine analytical data about the composition of the exhaled air, qualitative and/or quantitative analytical determination of the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds in the amount of gas provided.

Providing the amount of gas within a vehicle, wherein the gas comprises or consists of (i) the exhaled air of one or more vehicle occupants or (ii) a fraction of this exhaled air, can be achieved, for example, by the vehicle occupant(s) exhaling into the passenger compartment . The entire passenger cell then defines the volume in which the provided amount of said gas is located. The amount of said gas provided can also be in other defined volumes, for example in defined sampling chambers or the like.

Providing the amount of gas may, but does not have to, include transporting and/or concentrating and/or separating and/or mixing the immediate exhaled air of the vehicle occupant(s) in order to arrive at a composition suitable for analysis. The gas provided can include a fraction of the exhaled air.

It goes without saying that the expert will not take any measures that conflict with the above-mentioned task; In particular, he will take into account that the aim is, in particular, to assess possible driver impairment due to cannabis and in this respect the presence and amount of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds in the exhaled air of the vehicle occupant(s) is an important parameter (see below). Therefore, in the method according to the invention, the qualitative and/or quantitative analytical determination of the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds in the amount of gas provided is carried out in such a way that analytical data about the composition of the exhaled air is obtained.

The term “fraction of the exhaled air” or “fraction of this exhaled air” refers to (preferably gaseous) substance compositions, the ingredients of which are contained in the immediate exhaled air of the vehicle occupant(s), whereby the quantitative ratios of certain ingredients in the substance composition (the fraction) are different from those Quantitative ratios of these ingredients in the immediate exhaled air and/or where the material composition (the fraction) does not contain certain other ingredients of the immediate exhaled air.

The term “amount of gas” therefore includes (a) amounts of gas that are identical in composition to the immediate exhaled air of the vehicle occupant(s) or that are obtained from the immediate exhaled air by diluting it (e.g. by exhaling into the vehicle interior).

The term “quantity of gas” also includes (b) quantities of gas that differ in composition from the exhaled air of the vehicle occupant(s). Such amounts of gas can be separated from the immediate exhaled air of the vehicle occupant(s), for example using conventional separation processes, or produced by mixing it with other gaseous substances.

The “analysis” and thus the qualitative and/or quantitative analytical determination of the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds in the amount of gas provided is carried out using the chemical, physical and/or biological methods of analytical chemistry or biochemistry. Preferred analytical methods are given below.

The invention is based on the inventors' consideration that the purely respiratory gas-based detection of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is difficult because the low vapor pressure means that the maximum THC concentration in the gas phase is extremely low; namely in the range of a few hundred ppt, parts-per-trillion. For comparison: The legal limit for breath alcohol is 130 ppm, parts per million, i.e. a factor of 10^6 higher. Although THC is the primary psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, an adequate detection limit is difficult to achieve. In order to achieve the low THC detection limit, the existing THC detectors mentioned above work with comparatively time-consuming sampling and enrichment processes, some of which are based on disposable components, and usually focus on the analysis of breathing gas condensate rather than on the gas phase itself.

Oswald et al. describe under the title “Identification of a New Family of Prenylated Volatile Sulfur Compounds in Cannabis Revealed by Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography” in ACS Omega 2021, 6, 47, 31667-31676 that Cannabis sativa L. produces over 200 known secondary metabolites , which contribute to its distinctive aroma. In this respect, a family of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) is disclosed which contain prenyl (3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl) as a functional group.

US 2021/0253976 A1 describes sulfur-containing volatile organic compounds in cannabis and their specific compositions. Gas chromatography is used to detect sulfur-containing compounds.

The present invention is based on the finding that - in contrast to the direct detection of THC - the detection of one or more gaseous sulfur compounds can advantageously be used to analyze exhaled air, in particular to analyze a quantity of a gas present within a vehicle , which includes or consists of (i) the exhaled air of one or more vehicle occupants or (ii) a fraction of this exhaled air. In other words, the invention is based on the surprising finding that the detection of one or more gaseous sulfur compounds as a proxy (instead of the direct detection of THC (as the primary psychoactive active ingredient of cannabis) is significantly more effective for analyzing a quantity of a gas, comprehensively or consisting of the exhaled air of one or more vehicle occupants. Preferably, the gaseous sulfur comprises containing compounds described by Oswald et al. so-called volatile sulfur-containing compounds (VSCs “volatile sulfur compounds”).

The qualitative and/or quantitative analytical determination of the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds in the provided amount of gas within the vehicle to determine analytical data about the composition of the exhaled air has advantages. In particular, this enables an improved, in particular continuous, assessment of possible driver impairment caused by cannabis, preferably in real time.

The concept of the invention avoids the inadequacies of a complex THC detection apparatus. In preferred embodiments, the invention also provides for the taking of a sample from the gas phase and the analytical determination from the gas phase; Head space procedures or other “non-mobile”, namely stationary ones. This avoids laboratory procedures for detecting VSC compounds. Above all, this makes it possible to provide a method that can be implemented on a mobile basis in the vehicle or in the vehicle environment or a corresponding device that can be implemented entirely or partially in the vehicle, namely for analyzing a quantity of gas within a vehicle, the quantity of gas comprising or consisting of (i ) the exhaled air of one or more vehicle occupants or (ii) a fraction of this exhaled air. In order to determine analytical data about the composition of the exhaled air, the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds (present in the gas phase) is determined qualitatively and/or quantitatively.

Advantageous developments of the invention can be found in the subclaims and detail advantageous options for implementing the concept explained above within the scope of the task and with regard to further advantages. To the extent that certain embodiments are described as preferred for one aspect of the present invention (method, use, analysis device, analysis system, vehicle), the corresponding statements also apply to the other aspects of the present invention, mutatis mutandis. Preferred individual features of aspects of the invention (as defined in the claims and/or disclosed in the description) can be combined with one another and are combined with one another, unless the person skilled in the art in the individual case finds otherwise from the present text.

In the method according to the invention for analyzing a quantity of a gas present within a vehicle, as part of a particularly preferred development, the detection of gaseous sulfur compounds can be advantageously used to enable an improved, preferably continuous, assessment of possible driver impairment due to cannabis, preferably in real time. The detection of one or more sulfur compounds as marker substances for cannabis (including cannabinoid CBD products) is preferred.

In particular, it enables the use of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds, in particular volatile sulfur compounds (VSC, as described as such by Oswald et al.), as (gaseous, present in the gas phase) marker substances for cannabis (incl. Cannabinoid CBD products), in particular as marker substances for the characteristic smell of cannabis, to make a VSCs-based analysis of exhaled air available. This allows improved detectability of cannabis to be achieved; In particular, a detection limit can be achieved in an improved manner.

• - zum Bereitstellen der Menge des Gases Nehmen einer Probe des Gases (Probenentnahme des Gases), innerhalb des Fahrzeugs,
• - zum Ermitteln von analytischen Daten über die Zusammensetzung der Ausatemluft qualitatives und/oder quantitatives analytisches Bestimmen der Anwesenheit von einer oder mehreren gasförmigen schwefelhaltigen Verbindungen in der Probe des Gases.

Preference is given to a method according to the invention for analyzing a quantity of a gas comprising or consisting of the exhaled air of one or more vehicle occupants with the following steps:

• - to provide the amount of gas, taking a sample of the gas (sampling the gas), within the vehicle,
• - for determining analytical data about the composition of the exhaled air, qualitative and/or quantitative analytical determination of the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds in the sample of the gas.

Preferred in this embodiment are methods in which not simply the exhaled air or the air in the vehicle interior, which includes the exhaled air, is analyzed as a whole, but in which defined samples (i) are taken, (ii) if necessary prepared and (iii) examined .

The preferred embodiment set out above is based on the additional finding that for the purpose of analyzing a quantity of a gas present within a vehicle comprising or consisting of (i) the exhaled air of one or more vehicle occupants or (ii) a fraction of this exhaled air, taking a sample of the Gas, within the vehicle, makes sense to provide a (defined) amount of gas. Preferably, the sample can be taken from the gas phase and the analytical determination made possible from the gas phase.

In a further development, it has proven to be advantageous that an analysis of the gas phase is carried out when qualitatively and/or quantitatively analytically determining the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds in the amount of gas provided.

Additionally or alternatively, when qualitatively and/or quantitatively analytically determining the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds in the amount of gas provided, it is avoided to convert the amount of gas provided or a portion thereof from the gas phase into the liquid or solid phase and /or to bind to liquid or solid carrier materials. It is therefore not preferred to transfer the provided amount of gas or a portion thereof from the gas phase into the liquid or solid phase and/or to bind it to liquid or solid carrier materials. This further development has the advantage of being implemented in a vehicle in a comparatively simplified manner.

• - Dimethylsulfid,
• - 3-Methylthiophen,
• - 3-Methyl-2-buten-1-thiol,
• - 3-Methyl-1 -(methylthio)-2-buten,
• - 3-Methyl-2-butenyl-acetothioate,
• - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl)sulfid,
• - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl)disulfid und
• - schwefelhaltige Abbau-, Oxidations- und sonstige Umsetzungsprodukte der genannten Verbindungen.

A method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the gaseous sulfur-containing compound or one, several or all of the several gaseous sulfur-containing compounds is or are selected from the group consisting of

• - dimethyl sulfide,
• - 3-methylthiophene,
• - 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol,
• - 3-Methyl-1-(methylthio)-2-butene,
• - 3-Methyl-2-butenyl acetothioate,
• - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl) sulfide,
• - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl) disulfide and
• - Sulfur-containing degradation, oxidation and other reaction products of the compounds mentioned.

The gaseous sulfur-containing compounds mentioned as well as their sulfur-containing degradation, oxidation and other reaction products are characteristic of the consumption of cannabis (cf. the article by Oswald et al. acknowledged above). It is understood that a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein amounts of these gaseous sulfur-containing compounds contained in the breathing air of the vehicle occupant(s) are at least partially retained in the step of providing the amount of gas and in the step of qualitatively and/or quantitatively analytically determining the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds in the amount of gas provided in order to determine analytical data about the composition of the exhaled air. If the vehicle occupant(s) have consumed a sufficient amount of cannabis products and accordingly exhale or exhale a sufficient amount of said gaseous sulfur-containing compounds with the exhaled air, the method according to the invention can be used to particularly specifically assess a measure of driving ability and/or the cannabis Consumption takes place, see also the comments on the method according to the invention for assessing the driving ability of a vehicle occupant.

• - Dimethylsulfid,
• - 3-Methylthiophen,
• - 3-Methyl-2-buten-1-thiol,
• - 3-Methyl-1 -(methylthio)-2-buten,
• - 3-Methyl-2-butenyl-acetothioate,
• - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl)sulfid, und
• - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl)disulfid.

Particularly preferred is a method according to the invention, wherein the gaseous sulfur-containing compound or one, several or all of the several gaseous sulfur-containing compounds is or are selected from the group consisting of

• - dimethyl sulfide,
• - 3-methylthiophene,
• - 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol,
• - 3-Methyl-1-(methylthio)-2-butene,
• - 3-Methyl-2-butenyl acetothioate,
• - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl) sulfide, and
• - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl) disulfide.

The group defined here is based on that of Oswald et al. identified connections are made more concrete. The above comments regarding cannabis consumption and driving ability etc. apply accordingly.

• - Dimethylsulfid mit der CAS-Nr. 75-18-3 und einer Struktur gemäß Formel I,
• - 3-Methylthiophen mit der CAS-Nr. 616-44-4 und einer Struktur gemäß Formel II,
• - 3-Methyl-2-buten-1-thiol mit der CAS-Nr. 5287-45-6 und einer Struktur gemäß Formel III,
• - 3-Methyl-1-(methylthio)-2-buten mit der CAS-Nr. 5897-45-0 und einer Struktur gemäß Formel IV,
• - 3-Methyl-2-butenyl-acetothioate mit der CAS-Nr. 33049-93-3 und einer Struktur gemäß Formel V,
• - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl)sulfid mit der CAS-Nr. 33049-96-6 und einer Struktur gemäß Formel VI,
• - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl)disulfid mit der CAS-Nr. 24963-39-1 und einer Struktur gemäß Formel VII und
• - schwefelhaltige Abbau-, Oxidations- und sonstige Umsetzungsprodukte der genannten Verbindungen.

Particularly preferred is a method according to the invention, wherein the gaseous sulfur-containing compound or one, several or all of the several gaseous sulfur-containing compounds is or are selected from the group consisting of

• - Dimethyl sulfide with CAS no. 75-18-3 and a structure according to Formula I,
• - 3-Methylthiophene with CAS no. 616-44-4 and a structure according to Formula II,
• - 3-Methyl-2-butene-1-thiol with CAS no. 5287-45-6 and a structure according to Formula III,
• - 3-Methyl-1-(methylthio)-2-butene with CAS no. 5897-45-0 and a structure according to Formula IV,
• - 3-Methyl-2-butenyl acetothioate with CAS no. 33049-93-3 and a structure according to Formula V,
• - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl) sulfide with CAS no. 33049-96-6 and a structure according to Formula VI,
• - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl) disulfide with CAS no. 24963-39-1 and a structure according to Formula VII and
• - Sulfur-containing degradation, oxidation and other reaction products of the compounds mentioned.

The above-mentioned compounds are each gaseous sulfur-containing compounds; particularly those reported by Oswald et al. are referred to as volatile sulfur-containing compounds (VSC).

The term “degradation product” as used herein refers in particular to intermediate products or end products from enzyme-catalyzed reactions that occur and occur naturally in cells.

The term “oxidation product,” as used herein, means the product of a chemical reaction in which an ion or atom (as such or as part of a molecule) donates one or more electrons, thereby increasing its oxidation state. An oxidation reaction of the gaseous sulfur-containing compounds mentioned can take place in particular in the presence of atmospheric oxygen.

The term “reaction product,” as used herein, describes the product of a chemical reaction in which one reactant reacts with one or more other reactants. The term “implementation” therefore includes the terms “degradation” and “oxidation”.

Preferred is a method according to the invention, wherein the step of qualitatively and/or quantitatively analytically determining the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds in the provided quantity (preferably: sample) of the gas comprises a spectroscopic method. A particularly preferred spectroscopic method can in particular be selected from the group consisting of: laser spectroscopic methods, absorption spectroscopic methods and combinations thereof.

• - laserinduzierte Fluoreszenz-Spektroskopie, kohärente Anti-Stokes-Raman-Spektroskopie, Cavity-Enhanced-Absorption-Spektroskopie, Cavity-ring-down-Spektroskpie, Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy, Kollineare Laserspektroskopie, Resonanz-Ionisations-Spektroskopie, dopplerfreie Sättigungsspektroskopie, dopplerfreie Zwei-Photonen-Spektroskopie, dopplerfreie Polarisationsspektroskopie, Kapillarwellenspektroskopie, Rayleigh-Spektroskopie, Raman-Spektroskopie, besonders vorzugsweise ausgestaltet als Absorptionsspektroskopie, laserinduzierte Fluoreszenz-Spektroskopie, Resonanz-Ionisations-Spektroskopie, dopplerfreie Zwei-Photonen-Spektroskopie, Rayleigh-Spektroskopie, Raman-Spektroskopie. Nach einem Aspekt wird der Schritt des qualitativen und/oder quantitativen analytischen Bestimmens der Anwesenheit von einer oder mehreren gasförmigen schwefelhaltigen Verbindungen in der bereitgestellten Menge (vorzugsweise: Probe) des Gases mittels Raman-Spektroskopie durchgeführt, die für die Detektion von Thiolen besonders sensitiv ist, wie in Chapter 4 - Thiols, Sulfides and Disulfides, Alkanethiols, and Alkanedithiols (S-H stretching), Editor(s): Richard Allen Nyquist, Interpreting Infrared, Raman, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectra, Academic Press, 2001,Pages 65-83, ISBN 9780125234757 offenbart. Hinsichtlich Detektion von Thiolen und/oder Sulfiden ist die oberflächenverstärkte Raman-Spektroskopie vorteilhaft, wie in Garrell, R. L., Szafranski, C., and Tanner, W., „Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy of thiols and disulfides“, in Raman and Luminescence Spectroscopies in Technology I I</i>, 1990, vol. 1336, pp. 264-271, offenbart. Zusätzlich oder alternativ kann der Schritt des qualitativen und/oder quantitativen analytischen Bestimmens der Anwesenheit von einer oder mehreren gasförmigen schwefelhaltigen Verbindungen in der bereitgestellten Menge (vorzugsweise: Probe) des Gases eine oder mehrere der folgenden analytischen Methoden von Chemoresistor-Analysen umfassen:
• - Chemoresistor-Analyse unter Verwendung von Chemoresistoren mit Sensoren umfassend Gold-Nanopartikel.

In particular, the step of qualitatively and/or quantitatively analytically determining the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds in the provided quantity (preferably: sample) of the gas may additionally or alternatively comprise one or more of the following analytical methods of spectroscopic methods:

• - laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy, coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy, cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy, cavity ring-down spectroscopy, tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy, collinear laser spectroscopy, resonance ionization spectroscopy, Doppler-free saturation spectroscopy, Doppler-free Two-photon spectroscopy, Doppler-free polarization spectroscopy, capillary wave spectroscopy, Rayleigh spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, particularly preferably designed as absorption spectroscopy, laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy, resonance ionization spectroscopy, Doppler-free two-photon spectroscopy, Rayleigh spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy . According to one aspect, the step of qualitatively and/or quantitatively analytically determining the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds in the provided amount (preferably: sample) of the gas is carried out using Raman spectroscopy, which is particularly sensitive for the detection of thiols, as in Chapter 4 - Thiols, Sulfides and Disulfides, Alkanethiols, and Alkanedithiols (SH stretching), Editor(s): Richard Allen Nyquist, Interpreting Infrared, Raman, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectra, Academic Press, 2001, Pages 65-83, ISBN 9780125234757 disclosed. With regard to the detection of thiols and/or sulfides, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy is advantageous, as in Garrell, RL, Szafranski, C., and Tanner, W., “Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy of thiols and disulfides,” in Raman and Luminescence Spectroscopies in Technology I I</i>, 1990, vol. 1336, pp. 264-271. Additionally or alternatively, the step of qualitatively and/or quantitatively analytically determining the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds in the provided amount (preferably: sample) of the gas may comprise one or more of the following analytical methods of chemoresistor analyses:
• - Chemoresistor analysis using chemoresistors with sensors comprising gold nanoparticles.

• - qualitatives und/oder quantitatives analytisches Bestimmen der Anwesenheit von einer oder mehreren weiteren Verbindungen in der bereitgestellten Menge (vorzugsweise: in der Probe) des Gases. Die eine oder mehr weiteren Verbindungen in der bereitgestellten Menge des Gases können Bestandteile der Ausatemluft sein oder Verbindungen sein, die aus anderen Quellen in das Gas gelangt sind, z.B. Verbindungen, die über die Haut oder aus dem Schweiß eines Fahrzeuginsassen emittiert sind. Die ein oder mehr weiteren Verbindungen können Inhaltsstoffe typischer Cannabis-Produkte (z.B. cannabishaltiger Tabak) sein. Vorzugsweise ist die eine oder sind die mehreren weiteren Verbindungen ausgewählt aus der Gruppe bestehend aus
  • - Terpene und Terpenoide, vorzugsweise Myrcen, α-Pinen, β-Pinen, Caryophyllen und Terpinolen
  • - Flavonoide und
  • - 2,5-Dimethylfuran.

A method according to the invention with the following additional step is preferred:

• - qualitative and/or quantitative analytical determination of the presence of one or more further compounds in the amount provided (preferably in the sample) of the gas. The one or more additional compounds in the amount of gas provided can be components of the exhaled air or compounds that have entered the gas from other sources, for example compounds that have been emitted via the skin or from the sweat of a vehicle occupant. The one or more additional compounds can be ingredients of typical cannabis products (e.g. tobacco containing cannabis). Preferably the one or more further compounds are selected from the group consisting of
  • - Terpenes and terpenoids, preferably myrcene, α-pinene, β-pinene, caryophyllene and terpinolene
  • - Flavonoids and
  • - 2,5-dimethylfuran.

The compounds mentioned are often characteristic of the consumption of cannabis products. It is understood that a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein amounts of these compounds contained in the exhaled air of the vehicle occupant(s) are at least partially retained in the step of providing the amount of gas and in the step of qualitatively and/or quantitatively analytically determining the presence of one or more of these compounds can be detected in the amount of gas provided in order to determine further analytical data about the composition of the exhaled air. If the vehicle occupant(s) have consumed a sufficient amount of typical cannabis products and correspondingly exhale or exhale a sufficient amount of said additional compounds with the exhaled air, the method according to the invention can be used A particularly specific assessment of a measure of driving ability and/or cannabis consumption can be carried out, see also the analogously applicable statements on the aspect of the method according to the invention for assessing the driving ability of a vehicle occupant.

• - qualitatives und/oder quantitatives analytisches Bestimmen der Anwesenheit von einer oder mehreren weiteren Verbindungen in der bereitgestellten Menge (vorzugsweise: Probe) des Gases, vorzugsweise von einer oder mehreren weiteren Verbindungen ausgewählt aus der Gruppe der Cannabinoide, vorzugsweise Phytocannabionoide, umfassend Verbindungen ausgewählt aus der Gruppe bestehend aus Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Cannabiderol, Cannabitriol, Cannabichromen, Cannabinol, Tetrahydrocannabivarin, Cannbicyclol, Cannabinodiol, Cannabidiol, Cannabielsoin.

Alternatively or additionally, a method according to the invention can, in an advantageous development, include the following step:

• - qualitative and/or quantitative analytical determination of the presence of one or more further compounds in the amount provided (preferably: sample) of the gas, preferably of one or more further compounds selected from the group of cannabinoids, preferably phytocannabionoids, comprising compounds selected from the Group consisting of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabiderol, cannabitriol, cannabichromene, cannabinol, tetrahydrocannabivarin, cannbicyclol, cannabinodiol, cannabidiol, cannabielsoin.

Δ⁹-Tetrahydrocannabinol-Ca Δ⁹-THC-C₄

Δ⁹-Tetrahydrocannabivarin Δ⁹-THCV-C₃

Δ⁹-Tetrahydrocannabiorcol Δ⁹-THCO-C1

Δ⁹-Tetrahydrocannabinolsäure A Δ⁹-THCA-C₅ A

Δ⁹-Tetrahydrocannabinolsäure B Δ⁹-THCA-C₅ B

Δ⁹-Tetrahydrocannabinolsäure-C₄ A und/oder B Δ⁹-THCA-C₄ A und/oder B

Δ⁹-Tetrahydrocannabivarinsäure A Δ⁹-THCVA-C₃ A

Δ⁹-Tetrahydrocannabiorcolsäure A und/oder B Δ⁹-THCOA-C₁ A und/oder B

(-)-Δ⁸-trans-(6aR, 1 0aR)-Δ⁸-Tetrahydrocannabinol Δ⁸-THC-C₅

(-)-Δ⁸-trans-(6aR, 10aR)-Δ⁸-Tetrahydrocannabinol Δ⁸-THCA-C₅ A

(-)-(6aS, 10aR)-Δ⁹-Tetrahydrocannabinol (-)-cis-Δ⁹-THC-Cs

The term “tetrahydrocannabinol” (THC), as used herein, includes all currently known tetrahydrocannabinol-like phytocannabinoids, such as all compounds listed in Table 1. Table 1 Tetrahydrocannabinol-like phytocannabinoids. Tetrahydrocannabinol-like phytocannabionoids Designation abbreviation structure Δ ⁹ -Tetrahydrocannabinol Δ ⁹ -THC-C ₅

Δ ⁹ -Tetrahydrocannabinol-Ca Δ ⁹ -THC-C ₄

Δ ⁹ -Tetrahydrocannabivarin Δ ⁹ -THCV-C ₃

Δ ⁹ -Tetrahydrocannabiorcol Δ ⁹ -THCO-C1

^Δ9 -Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A Δ ⁹ -THCA-C ₅ A

^Δ9 -Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid B Δ ⁹ -THCA-C ₅ B

Δ ⁹ -tetrahydrocannabinolic acid-C ₄ A and/or B Δ ⁹ -THCA-C ₄ A and/or B

Δ ⁹ -Tetrahydrocannabivarinic acid A Δ ⁹ -THCVA-C ₃ A

Δ ⁹ -Tetrahydrocannabiorcolic acid A and/or B Δ ⁹ -THCOA-C ₁ A and/or B

(-)-Δ ⁸ -trans-(6aR, 1 0aR)-Δ ⁸ -tetrahydrocannabinol Δ ⁸ -THC-C ₅

(-)-Δ ⁸ -trans-(6aR, 10aR)-Δ ⁸ -tetrahydrocannabinol Δ ⁸ -THCA-C ₅ A

(-)-(6aS, 10aR)-Δ ⁹ -tetrahydrocannabinol (-)-cis-Δ ⁹ -THC-Cs

The further analytical data on the composition of the exhaled air, especially regarding other organic substances - in particular regarding the mentioned terpenes and terpenoids and terpinols, flavonoids and 2,5-dimethylfuran and / or cannabinoids - support the specificity (as already partly explained). of the analysis process as a whole. It has also been shown that this increases the robustness of the analysis process; i.e. the reliability of an analysis result with regard to the detection of cannabis is thereby increased.

Preference is given to a method according to the invention, wherein in the step of qualitatively and/or quantitatively analytically determining the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds in the provided amount (preferably: sample) of the gas, at least two, three, four or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds are analytically determined are, preferably the respective amounts of these gaseous sulfur-containing compounds in the provided amount (preferably: sample) of the gas being quantitatively determined analytically.

Here, the two, three, four or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds are preferably each selected from the above-mentioned groups of sulfur-containing compounds, preferably from the group (already defined above) consisting of dimethyl sulfide, 3-methylthiophene, 3-methyl-2-butene-1 -thiol, 3-methyl-1-(methylthio)-2-butene, 3-methyl-2-butenyl acetothioate, bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl) sulfide and bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl) disulfide .

Preferred is a method according to the invention, wherein in the step of qualitatively and/or quantitatively analytically determining the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds in the provided quantity (preferably: sample) of the gas, data are determined to create a fingerprint of the gas composition, for comparison with the data from a fingerprint database.

• - Dimethylsulfid,
• - 3-Methylthiophen,
• - 3-Methyl-2-buten-1-thiol,
• - 3-Methyl-1 -(methylthio)-2-buten,
• - 3-Methyl-2-butenyl-acetothioate,
• - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl)sulfid,
• - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl)disulfid und
• - schwefelhaltige Abbau-, Oxidations- und sonstige Umsetzungsprodukte der genannten Verbindungen. Es gelten die obigen Ausführungen zu bevorzugten Ausgestaltungen (und konkretisierten Gruppen) entsprechend.

Here, preferably the gaseous sulfur-containing compound or one, several or all of the several gaseous sulfur-containing compounds are selected from the group consisting of

• - dimethyl sulfide,
• - 3-methylthiophene,
• - 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol,
• - 3-Methyl-1-(methylthio)-2-butene,
• - 3-Methyl-2-butenyl acetothioate,
• - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl) sulfide,
• - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl) disulfide and
• - Sulfur-containing degradation, oxidation and other reaction products of the compounds mentioned. The above statements regarding preferred embodiments (and specific groups) apply accordingly.

• - Terpene und Terpenoide,

vorzugsweise Myrcen, α-Pinen, β-Pinen, Caryophyllen und Terpinolen

• - Flavonoide und
• - 2,5-Dimethylfuran

so durchgeführt, dass in diesem Schritt weitere Daten zur Erstellung eines Fingerprints der Gaszusammensetzung ermittelt werden, zum Vergleich mit den Daten einer Fingerprint-Datenbank.In addition, in this process design, there is preferably an additional step of qualitatively and/or quantitatively analytically determining the presence of one or more further compounds in the provided quantity (preferably: sample) of the gas, preferably of one or more further compounds selected from the group consisting of

• - terpenes and terpenoids,

preferably myrcene, α-pinene, β-pinene, caryophyllene and terpinolene

• - Flavonoids and
• - 2,5-dimethylfuran

carried out in such a way that in this step further data is determined to create a fingerprint of the gas composition for comparison with the data from a fingerprint database.

The term “fingerprint”, as used herein, usually refers to the characteristic composition of a mixture of substances according to the type and amount of compounds contained therein.

A method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the method is carried out continuously or repeatedly over time in order to determine and preferably evaluate changes over time in the composition of the exhaled air of one or more vehicle occupants, preferably while the vehicle is traveling, particularly preferably before and during the journey.

Such a preferred method enables a particularly reliable assessment of a vehicle occupant's ability to drive.

As part of a particularly preferred development, it is provided that the gaseous sulfur-containing compounds and/or the further, in particular organic, compounds in the amount of gas provided are used as a marker substance for cannabis, in particular as a marker substance for the smell of cannabis and/or a psychoactive active ingredient Cannabis can be determined.

• - Dimethylsulfid,
• - 3-Methylthiophen,
• - 3-Methyl-2-buten-1-thiol,
• - 3-Methyl-1 -(methylthio)-2-buten,
• - 3-Methyl-2-butenyl-acetothioate,
• - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl)sulfid,
• - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl)disulfid und
• - schwefelhaltige Abbau-, Oxidations- und sonstige Umsetzungsprodukte der genannten Verbindungen.

Preferred is a method according to the invention, wherein the (i) exhaled air of one or at least one of the several vehicle occupants or the (ii) fraction of this exhaled air comprises one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds, preferably one or more of these gaseous sulfur-containing compounds being selected from the group consisting of

• - dimethyl sulfide,
• - 3-methylthiophene,
• - 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol,
• - 3-Methyl-1-(methylthio)-2-butene,
• - 3-Methyl-2-butenyl acetothioate,
• - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl) sulfide,
• - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl) disulfide and
• - Sulfur-containing degradation, oxidation and other reaction products of the compounds mentioned.

This preferred method is particularly specific to vehicle occupants for whom it is ensured in advance that their exhaled air - in particular due to previous cannabis consumption - contains the gaseous sulfur-containing compounds mentioned. The preferred method is of particular importance, for example, if the question does not arise as to whether a vehicle occupant has consumed cannabis, but only as to whether he is still fit to drive despite cannabis consumption.

• - Bewertung eines Maßes einer Fahrtüchtigkeit und/oder des Cannabis-Konsums eines oder mehrerer der Fahrzeuginsassen auf Basis der ermittelten analytischen Daten über die Zusammensetzung der Ausatemluft.

In the context of a particularly preferred development, the invention relates in a further aspect to a method for assessing the driving ability of a vehicle occupant, comprising the method according to the invention for analyzing a quantity of a gas comprising or consisting of (i) the exhaled air of one or more vehicle occupants or (ii) one Fraction of this exhaled air, the method according to the invention having the following additional step:

• - Assessment of a measure of driving ability and/or cannabis consumption of one or more of the vehicle occupants based on the analytical data determined on the composition of the exhaled air.

The developments of the method described above in their various preferred embodiments are preferably carried out simultaneously with other methods which enable an assessment of a measure of a vehicle occupant's ability to drive. In this way, the driving ability of a vehicle occupant can be assessed on the basis of various test procedures and is therefore particularly safe.

• - Bereitstellen der Menge des Gases, innerhalb des Fahrzeugs,
• - zum Ermitteln von analytischen Daten über die Zusammensetzung der Ausatemluft qualitatives und/oder quantitatives analytisches Bestimmen der Anwesenheit von einer oder mehreren gasförmigen schwefelhaltigen Verbindungen in der bereitgestellten Menge des Gases.

The method according to the invention for assessing the ability to drive a vehicle occupant includes the method according to the invention described above for analyzing a quantity of a gas comprising or consisting of (i) the exhaled air of one or more vehicle occupants or (ii) a fraction of this exhaled air, with the following steps:

• - Providing the amount of gas within the vehicle,
• - to determine analytical data about the composition of the exhaled air, qualitative and/or quantitative analytical determination of the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds in the amount of gas provided.

It is understood that the above-mentioned preferred embodiments and developments of the method according to the invention for analyzing a quantity of a gas comprising or consisting of (i) the exhaled air of one or more vehicle occupants or (ii) a fraction of this exhaled air as part of a further development of the method for evaluation a measure of a vehicle occupant's ability to drive are preferred. This preferably also includes the assessment of an inability to drive.

The term “inability to drive,” as used herein, means a condition of impaired driving ability of one or more vehicle occupants, which makes it impossible for that one or more vehicle occupants to safely drive a vehicle, preferably on public roads. The inability to drive of one or more vehicle occupants can arise, for example, from intoxication caused by the consumption of cannabis and/or products containing cannabis, which manifests itself in a THC concentration in the blood of one or more vehicle occupants of ≥ 1 ng/mL, often in combination with drug-related deficits, such as lack of pupil reactions when the lighting conditions change, swaying after getting out of the car, unsteady gait, staggering gait, wobbly gait and delayed response behavior. An understanding of the term “unfitness to drive” is preferred, whereby a THC concentration in the blood of one or more vehicle occupants of ≥ 24 ng/mL, preferably ≥ 1 ng/mL, is considered evidence of unfitness to drive.

In order to evaluate a measure of a vehicle occupant's ability to drive, one or more steps are preferably carried out to determine a different driving condition of a driver of the vehicle.

• - Erfassung einer Fahrspurabweichung des Fahrzeugs
• - Erfassung eines unregelmäßigen oder auffälligen Be- oder Entschleunigung des Fahrzeugs
• - Erfassung einer unregelmäßigen oder auffälligen Betätigung von Haupt- oder Hilfsbetriebsmitteln des Fahrzeugs,
• - Erfassung einer Fahrer- Körper- und/oder Kopfhaltung im Sitz
• - Erfassung eines unregelmäßigen oder auffälligen Augenparameters des Fahrers, wie Pupillengröße und/oder Lidschlag
• - Erfassung eines unregelmäßigen oder auffälligen Mundparameters des Fahrers,
• - Erfassung eines unregelmäßigen oder auffälligen Feuchte- und/oder TemperaturWertes anhand oder Körper des Fahrers.

In particular, the driver's other driving condition can be determined by means of sensory detection of vehicle behavior and/or driver behavior. The sensory detection is preferably implemented by carrying out one or more detection steps selected from the group of detection steps consisting of:

• - Detection of a vehicle lane deviation
• - Detection of irregular or noticeable acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle
• - Detection of irregular or conspicuous operation of the vehicle's main or auxiliary resources,
• - Detection of a driver's body and/or head posture in the seat
• - Detection of an irregular or abnormal eye parameter of the driver, such as pupil size and/or blinking
• - Detection of an irregular or abnormal oral parameter of the driver,
• - Detection of an irregular or abnormal humidity and/or temperature value based on the driver's body.

As part of a further development of the method for evaluating the driving ability of a vehicle occupant, an overall representation and/or evaluation of the determined analytical data on the composition of the exhaled air and the sensory detection of the vehicle behavior and/or the driver behavior is preferably carried out. On the one hand, the cumulative analysis or correlation of gas analysis values in relation to the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds in the amount of gas provided - in particular as a marker substance for cannabis, in particular as a marker substance for the smell of cannabis and/or a psychoactive one Active ingredient of cannabis - and on the other hand of values of the sensory detection of vehicle behavior and / or driver behavior, enables a very reliable linking of the statement about cannabis as a cause with the corresponding effect in vehicle behavior and / or driver behavior. This makes it possible to provide a reliable control and regulation basis in order to intervene automatically or semi-automatically in a vehicle control system for safety reasons. This applies in particular in the event that an assessment of a measure of driving ability causes this, especially if this leads to the recognition of inability to drive as a result of cannabis consumption.

• - Dimethylsulfid,
• - 3-Methylthiophen,
• - 3-Methyl-2-buten-1-thiol,
• - 3-Methyl-1 -(methylthio)-2-buten,
• - 3-Methyl-2-butenyl-acetothioate,
• - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl)sulfid,
• - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl)disulfid und
• - schwefelhaltige Abbau-, Oxidations- und sonstige Umsetzungsprodukte der genannten Verbindungen,

in einem Gas umfassend oder bestehend aus (i) der Ausatemluft eines oder mehrerer Fahrzeuginsassen oder (ii) einer Fraktion dieser Ausatemluft,
bei der Bewertung eines Maßes einer Fahrtüchtigkeit und/oder des Cannabis-Konsums eines oder mehrerer der Fahrzeuginsassen.The invention relates in yet another aspect to the use of analytical data regarding the presence of gaseous sulfur-containing compounds selected from the group consisting of

• - dimethyl sulfide,
• - 3-methylthiophene,
• - 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol,
• - 3-Methyl-1-(methylthio)-2-butene,
• - 3-Methyl-2-butenyl acetothioate,
• - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl) sulfide,
• - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl) disulfide and
• - sulfur-containing degradation, oxidation and other reaction products of the compounds mentioned,

in a gas comprising or consisting of (i) the exhaled air of one or more vehicle occupants or (ii) a fraction of this exhaled air,
when assessing a measure of driving ability and/or cannabis consumption of one or more of the vehicle occupants.

Here, the analytical data are preferably determined in the method according to the invention for analyzing a quantity of a gas comprising or consisting of (i) the exhaled air of one or more vehicle occupants or (ii) a fraction of this exhaled air, as defined in the claims and described above; It goes without saying that the above-mentioned preferred embodiments of this method according to the invention are also preferred in the context of a further development of the use according to the invention.

The invention relates in yet another aspect to the use of an analysis device for analyzing a quantity of a gas within a vehicle, wherein the quantity of the gas comprises or consists of the exhaled air of one or more vehicle occupants, in which an assessment of a measure of driving ability and / or the Cannabis consumption of one or more vehicle occupants and/or in a method for assessing the driving ability of a vehicle occupant, wherein the analysis device is set up to carry out a method according to the invention, as defined in the claims and described above.

• - ein spektroskopisches Verfahren, insbesondere ein laserspektroskopisches Verfahren, vorzugsweise ausgestaltet im Rahmen einer Absorptionsspektroskopie,
• - eine Chemoresistor-Analyse, vorzugsweise unter Verwendung von Chemoresistoren mit Sensoren umfassend Gold-Nanopartikel.

In this respect, particularly preferred is an inventive use of an analysis device for analyzing a quantity of a gas comprising or consisting of the exhaled air of one or more vehicle occupants, in a method for evaluating a measure of driving ability and/or the cannabis consumption of one or more vehicle occupants, wherein the analysis device includes one or more of the following analytical methods:

• - a spectroscopic method, in particular a laser spectroscopic method, preferably designed in the context of absorption spectroscopy,
• - a chemoresistor analysis, preferably using chemoresistors with sensors comprising gold nanoparticles.

The present invention relates in yet another aspect to an analysis device that is implemented in a vehicle and is designed to analyze a quantity of a gas comprising or consisting of the exhaled air of one or more vehicle occupants, wherein the analysis device is set up to implement the method according to the invention (i.e. a Method for analyzing a quantity of a gas comprising or consisting of (i) the exhaled air of one or more vehicle occupants or (ii) a fraction of this exhaled air, as defined in the claims and as described above).

• - einen Probenraum zum Nehmen einer Probe des Gases innerhalb des Fahrzeugs,
• - eine Sensoreinrichtung ausgebildet zum qualitativen und/oder quantitativen analytischen Bestimmen der Anwesenheit von einer oder mehreren gasförmigen schwefelhaltigen Verbindungen in der Probe des Gases im Probenraum.

The analysis device preferably has:

• - a sample room for taking a sample of the gas within the vehicle,
• - a sensor device designed to qualitatively and/or quantitatively analytically determine the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds in the sample of the gas in the sample space.

The analysis device can be designed to be implemented in a vehicle in different variants.

In a first variant in this regard, the analysis device can preferably be detachable from the interior of the vehicle. In particular, the analysis device can be designed to be mobile, preferably used without a direct physical connection to the vehicle.

As part of a further development, the sample chamber of the analysis device according to the invention is designed as a measuring chamber that can be connected to the vehicle interior in an air-permeable manner and can be attached to or in a vehicle part, the sensor device for qualitatively and / or quantitatively determining the presence of one or more of the gaseous sulfur-containing compounds in the sample of the gas is sensorically connected to the measuring room.

Additionally or alternatively, in a second relevant variant, the sample space can be arranged on or in, in particular as an integral part of, one or more of the vehicle parts.

• - ein Fahrzeugbedienelement, insbesondere ein Lenkrad oder eine Fahrzeugarmatur,
• - eine Fahrzeuginnraumbelüftungseinrichtung, insbesondere Klima- und/oder Umlufteinrichtung, vorzugsweise ein Belüftungsschlitz oder eine Belüftungsleitung,
• - ein Fahrzeugsitz,
• - eine A-, B- oder C-Säule der Fahrgastzelle.

The vehicle part can preferably be selected from the group consisting of:

• - a vehicle control element, in particular a steering wheel or a vehicle dashboard,
• - a vehicle interior ventilation device, in particular air conditioning and/or recirculation device, preferably a ventilation slot or a ventilation line,
• - a vehicle seat,
• - an A, B or C pillar of the passenger cell.

• - eine mit der Analyseeinrichtung signalverbundene Auswerteeinheit, wobei die Sensoreinrichtung und die Analyseeinrichtung zum Austausch von Steuersignalen und die Anwesenheit von gasförmigen schwefelhaltigen Verbindungen anzeigenden Bestimmungssignalen signalverbunden sind.

The present invention relates in yet another aspect to an analysis system comprising an analysis device according to the invention, as defined in the claims and as described above, which is designed to be implemented in a vehicle, and further comprises:

• - an evaluation unit signal-connected to the analysis device, the sensor device and the analysis device being signal-connected for the exchange of control signals and determination signals indicating the presence of gaseous sulfur-containing compounds.

As part of a further development of the analysis system, the analysis device according to the invention is at least partially implemented as part of the vehicle and a signal connection is formed via a BUS system.

The evaluation unit is preferably signal-connected to the vehicle control unit (ECU) via the BUS system or, additionally or alternatively, the evaluation unit can preferably be part of the vehicle control unit (ECU).

In a further development of the analysis system it is provided that the analysis device according to the invention is formed at least in parts remotely from the vehicle, in particular as part of a server system, preferably in a fleet control for a number of vehicles, and / or a signal connection is formed via a BUS system . According to one aspect, the signal connection is formed via an OBD interface. The evaluation can, for example, also be carried out and/or displayed on a mobile device, for example a smartphone, using a corresponding app.

• - Messwert für die Anwesenheit einer gasförmigen schwefelhaltigen Verbindung
• - Messprofil für die Anwesenheit einer Anzahl von gasförmigen schwefelhaltigen Verbindungen, vorzugsweise ausgewählt aus der Gruppe bestehend aus
  • - Dimethylsulfid,
  • - 3-Methylthiophen,
  • - 3-Methyl-2-buten-1-thiol,
  • - 3-Methyl-1-(methylthio)-2-buten,
  • - 3-Methyl-2-butenyl-acetothioate,
  • - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl)sulfid,
  • - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl)disulfid und
  • - schwefelhaltige Abbau-, Oxidations- und sonstige Umsetzungsprodukte der genannten Verbindungen
  und
  • - Logik- und/oder Zahlen-Wert für die qualitative und/oder quantitative analytisch bestimmte Anwesenheit von einer oder mehreren gasförmigen schwefelhaltigen Verbindungen.

In a further development of the analysis system, it is provided that the determination signals are designed to display one or more of the determination information for the presence of a number of gaseous sulfur-containing compounds, which are selected from the group consisting of:

• - Measured value for the presence of a gaseous sulfur-containing compound
• - Measurement profile for the presence of a number of gaseous sulfur-containing compounds, preferably selected from the group consisting of
  • - dimethyl sulfide,
  • - 3-methylthiophene,
  • - 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol,
  • - 3-Methyl-1-(methylthio)-2-butene,
  • - 3-Methyl-2-butenyl acetothioate,
  • - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl) sulfide,
  • - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl) disulfide and
  • - Sulfur-containing degradation, oxidation and other reaction products of the compounds mentioned
  and
  • - Logical and/or numerical value for the qualitative and/or quantitative analytically determined presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds.

• - ein Vergleichsmodul zum Vergleichen von
  1. (i) Bestimmungsinformationen, die im Schritt des qualitativen und/oder quantitativen analytischen Bestimmens der Anwesenheit von einer oder mehreren gasförmigen schwefelhaltigen Verbindungen in der bereitgestellten Menge (vorzugsweise: Probe) des Gases erhalten werden,
  mit

In a further development of the analysis system according to the invention it is provided that the evaluation unit signal-connected to the analysis device has:

• - a comparison module for comparing
  1. (i) determination information obtained in the step of qualitatively and/or quantitatively analytically determining the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds in the provided quantity (preferably: sample) of the gas,
  with

(ii) analysis data from a database,

to determine a physical or mental condition of the vehicle occupant(s) and/or to assess a measure of driving ability and/or cannabis consumption of one or more of the vehicle occupants. The above statements regarding the aspect of estimation apply accordingly.

• - das Vergleichsergebnis ausgebildet ist zur Bewertung eines Maßes einer Fahrtüchtigkeit, insbesondere Bestätigung der Fahruntüchtigkeit, und/oder des Cannabis-Konsums eines oder mehrerer Fahrzeuginsassen, wobei der Fahrzeuginsasse oder einer der Fahrzeuginsassen vorzugsweise der Fahrer ist, und
• - das Indikatorsignal ausgebildet ist, der Fahrzeugsteuereinheit (ECU) eine Fahrzeugfahrbeschränkung vorzugeben.

The comparison module is preferably designed to emit an indicator signal as a comparison result, in particular to a vehicle control unit (ECU), whereby

• - the comparison result is designed to evaluate a measure of driving ability, in particular confirmation of the inability to drive, and / or the cannabis consumption of one or more vehicle occupants, wherein the vehicle occupant or one of the vehicle occupants is preferably the driver, and
• - The indicator signal is designed to specify a vehicle driving restriction to the vehicle control unit (ECU).

In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle for transporting one or more vehicle occupants, comprising an analysis system for evaluating a measure of driving ability, in particular confirmation of the inability to drive, and/or the cannabis consumption of one or more vehicle occupants, wherein the analysis system comprises an analysis device which is designed to carry out a method according to the invention for analyzing a quantity of a gas comprising or consisting of (i) the exhaled air of one or more vehicle occupants or (ii) a fraction of this exhaled air, as defined in the claims and described above.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described below with reference to the drawing in comparison to the prior art, some of which is also shown. This is not necessarily intended to represent the embodiments to scale; rather, where useful for explanation, the drawing is carried out in a schematic and/or slightly distorted form. With regard to additions to the teachings immediately recognizable from the drawing, reference is made to the relevant state of the art. It should be noted that various modifications and changes can be made to the form and detail of an embodiment without departing from the general idea of the invention. The features of the invention disclosed in the description, in the drawing and in the claims can be essential for the development of the invention both individually and in any combination be. In addition, all combinations of at least two of the features disclosed in the description, the drawing and/or the claims fall within the scope of the invention. The general idea of the invention is not limited to the exact form or detail of the preferred embodiment shown and described hereinafter or limited to a subject matter that would be limited in comparison to the subject matter claimed in the claims. For specified design ranges, values within the specified limits should also be disclosed as limit values and can be used and claimed as desired.

• 1: ein Ablaufdiagramm einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform des Verfahrens zur Analyse einer Menge eines Gases innerhalb eines Fahrzeugs, wobei das Gas umfasst oder besteht aus (i) der Ausatemluft eines oder mehrerer Fahrzeuginsassen oder (ii) einer Fraktion dieser Ausatemluft mit Bestimmen der Anwesenheit von einer oder mehreren gasförmigen schwefelhaltigen Verbindungen in der bereitgestellten Menge des Gases;
• 2: ein Ablaufdiagramm einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform des Verfahrens zur Analyse einer Menge eines Gases umfassend oder bestehend aus der Ausatemluft eines oder mehrerer Fahrzeuginsassen;
• 3: ein Schema einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform des Analysesystems mit einer Analyseeinrichtung und einer signalverbundenen Auswerteeinheit, wobei das Analysesystem ausgebildet ist zur Bewertung eines Maßes einer Fahrtüchtigkeit, insbesondere Bestätigung der Fahruntüchtigkeit, und/oder des Cannabis-Konsums eines oder mehrerer Fahrzeuginsassen;
• 4 eine erste Ausführungsform einer Analyseeinrichtung mit einer Laserspektroskopieeinrichtung, die in ein Fahrzeug implementiert ausgebildet ist;
• 5 eine zweite Ausführungsform einer Analyseeinrichtung, mit einer Chemoresistor-Analyseeinrichtung, die in ein Fahrzeug implementiert ausgebildet ist;
• 6 ein Schema einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform eines Fahrzeugs, mit einem Analysesystem oder einer Analyseeinrichtung gemäß einer der vorgenannten Ausführungsformen.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention result from the following description of the preferred embodiments and from the drawing; this shows in:

• 1 : a flowchart of a preferred embodiment of the method for analyzing a quantity of a gas within a vehicle, the gas comprising or consisting of (i) the exhaled air of one or more vehicle occupants or (ii) a fraction of this exhaled air with determining the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds in the amount of gas provided;
• 2 : a flow chart of a preferred embodiment of the method for analyzing a quantity of a gas comprising or consisting of the exhaled air of one or more vehicle occupants;
• 3 : a diagram of a preferred embodiment of the analysis system with an analysis device and a signal-connected evaluation unit, the analysis system being designed to evaluate a measure of driving ability, in particular confirmation of the inability to drive, and / or the cannabis consumption of one or more vehicle occupants;
• 4 a first embodiment of an analysis device with a laser spectroscopy device, which is implemented in a vehicle;
• 5 a second embodiment of an analysis device, with a chemoresistor analysis device, which is implemented in a vehicle;
• 6 a diagram of a preferred embodiment of a vehicle, with an analysis system or an analysis device according to one of the aforementioned embodiments.

1 shows, in a flow chart of a preferred embodiment, the basic concept of the method according to the invention for analyzing a quantity of a gas present within a vehicle, the gas comprising or consisting of the exhaled air of one or more vehicle occupants or a fraction of this exhaled air.

The method according to the embodiment in 1 is fundamentally reliable and at the same time automatable, that is, can be implemented in an automated manner for a driving situation in a vehicle 1000, as in 3 and 6 is explained in more detail.

The method according to the embodiment in 1 In the preferred embodiment described here, the analysis starts directly with the analysis of a quantity of gas from exhaled air in the vehicle 1000, that is, the analysis of the amount of gas GS from exhaled air in the gas phase within the vehicle 1000 itself. Basically, the gas phase of the vehicle interior is as in 6 shown is preferred, but not limited to.

For example, the gas phase of the air conditioning and ventilation systems connected to the vehicle interior can also be used to analyze the amount of gas GS from exhaled air directly from the gas phase in the vehicle 1000. It is also possible to have 1,000 cavities available in parts of the vehicle, which can be used to analyze the amount of gas GS; for example the ones in 6 Specified areas of the seats, the fittings and the steering wheel.

According to the concept, the method can preferably be started in step S, for example at the start of the journey and/or when a passenger enters the vehicle 1000.

In the first step S1 of the method, the amount of gas GS is provided within the vehicle 1000.

In the second step S2, according to the concept of the invention, analytical data on the composition of the exhaled air, preferably from the gas phase, in the vehicle 1000 is determined.

This creates the possibility for the first time of providing an automatable analysis method - and in particular, based on this, a method for evaluating a measure of driving ability, in particular the inability to drive, of a vehicle occupant or the basic condition of a vehicle occupant.

As part of step S2, according to the concept of the invention, it is provided that a qualitative and/or quantitative analytical determination of the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds VSC in the amount of gas provided is carried out in step S3. In particular, an analytical determination of gaseous sulfur compounds (in particular so-called VSCs “volatile sulfur compounds”) in the exhaled air should be carried out as part of step S3. In the context of a particularly preferred embodiment, an analysis of the gas phase is carried out when qualitatively and/or quantitatively analytically determining the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds VSC in the amount of gas provided. Additionally or alternatively, when qualitatively and/or quantitatively analytically determining the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds VSC in the amount of gas provided, the amount of gas provided or a portion thereof can be avoided from the gas phase into the liquid or solid phase transfer and/or bind to liquid or solid carrier materials.

• - Dimethylsulfid,
• - 3-Methylthiophen,
• - 3-Methyl-2-buten-1-thiol,
• - 3-Methyl-1-(methylthio)-2-buten,
• - 3-Methyl-2-butenyl-acetothioate,
• - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl)sulfid,
• - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl)disulfid und
• - schwefelhaltige Abbau-, Oxidations- und sonstige Umsetzungsprodukte der genannten Verbindungen.

The gaseous sulfur-containing compound VSC or one, several or all of the several sulfur-containing compounds is or are preferably selected from the group consisting of

• - dimethyl sulfide,
• - 3-methylthiophene,
• - 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol,
• - 3-Methyl-1-(methylthio)-2-butene,
• - 3-Methyl-2-butenyl acetothioate,
• - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl) sulfide,
• - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl) disulfide and
• - Sulfur-containing degradation, oxidation and other reaction products of the compounds mentioned.

• - Terpene und Terpenoide, vorzugsweise Myrcen, α-Pinen, β-Pinen, Caryophyllen und Terpinolen
• - Flavonoide und
• - 2,5-Dimethylfuran.

In addition, a step of qualitatively and/or quantitatively analytically determining the presence of one or more further gaseous compounds in the amount of gas provided can be provided, preferably one or more further organic compounds selected from the group consisting of

• - Terpenes and terpenoids, preferably myrcene, α-pinene, β-pinene, caryophyllene and terpinolene
• - Flavonoids and
• - 2,5-dimethylfuran.

The gaseous sulfur-containing compounds VSC and/or other, in particular organic, compounds in the amount of gas provided are determined as a marker substance for cannabis, in particular as a marker substance for the smell of cannabis and/or a psychoactive active ingredient of cannabis.

The concept of the invention is based on the use of a “proxy” - in contrast to the difficult detection of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which indicates the primary psychoactive active ingredient of cannabis, as the relevant indication. Following the concept of the invention, a gaseous sulfur-containing compound (in particular the “volatile sulfur compound”, VSC, so named by Oswald et al.) in the gas quantity GS within the vehicle 1000 serves as a “proxy”. The gas quantity GS includes or consists of (i) the exhaled air of one or more vehicle occupants or (ii) a fraction of this exhaled air. The gaseous sulfur-containing compound VSC preferably serves as a marker substance for cannabis, in particular as a marker substance for the smell of cannabis.

The qualitative and/or quantitative analytical determination of the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds VSC in the amount of gas provided can be made available with a significantly improved detection threshold in the exhaled air, so that the gaseous sulfur-containing compounds VSC mentioned can be detected directly from the gas phase .

In particular, the detection method is reliable, even though the gaseous sulfur-containing compounds VSC (in particular the “volatile sulfur compounds”, VSCs, so named by Oswald et al.) are proxies and not the primary psychoactive active ingredient - and it occurs also with sufficient accuracy. The analysis of the amount of gas GS for one or more gaseous sulfur compounds is carried out in particular using marker substances for cannabis including cannabinoid CBD products), in particular using marker substances for the characteristic smell of cannabis. This implements a reliable analysis of exhaled air and can lead to improved detectability of cannabis, especially based on a more achievable detection limit.

The method is therefore advantageously suitable for evaluating a measure of driving ability, in particular the inability to drive, and/or the cannabis consumption of one or more of the vehicle occupants on the basis of the determined analytical data about the composition of the gas quantity GS comprising exhaled air and can be implemented in the vehicle 1000 .

The procedure according to in 1 The illustrated embodiment can be repeated in its steps S1, S2 and S3 during the driving situation as indicated by the reference symbol W. The procedure can also be carried out once before the start of the journey and repeated W and restarted and ended again at certain intervals. The process can also be carried out continuously or clocked between the start and end points S or WIE in an endless loop.

2 shows, in the context of a somewhat more concrete preferred embodiment, an analysis method which, starting with step S in a first step V1, provides for the entry V11 of a vehicle occupant or the starting process V12 of the vehicle 1000.

In principle, according to the particularly preferred embodiment of the method as described in 2 is shown, in a further step V2 it is already assumed that a release of breathing air into the vehicle interior is taking place or has at least taken place; i.e. there is the possibility that one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds VSC such as dimethyl sulfide or similar gaseous sulfur-containing compounds VSC such as, for example, 3-methylthiophene, 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol, 3-methyl-1-(methylthio) -2-butene, 3-methyl-2-butenyl acetothioate, bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl) sulfide, bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl) disulfide and sulfur-containing degradation, oxidation and other reaction products of the above Compounds are present in the amount of gas in the vehicle 1000. It is understood that this can also apply or applies in the same way to the presence of one or more further, in particular organic, compounds in the amount of gas provided, preferably one or more further compounds selected from the group consisting of terpenes and terpenoids, preferably myrcene, α-pinene, β-pinene, caryophyllene and terpinolene, flavonoids and 2,5-dimethylfuran.

The vehicle interior or the rooms of a ventilation or air conditioning system connected to it or another cavity of the vehicle 1000 are particularly suitable as a sample room.

In a third step V3 it can be provided that by means of an analysis device preferably implemented in the vehicle 1000 - such as in 3 is shown in more detail - a sample is taken directly from the gas phase of the vehicle interior. In the present case, sampling in step V3 means that the amount of gas GS is generally available for analysis. It is in the conceptual approach of the embodiment according to the invention that the vehicle interior or associated air-permeable spaces in the vehicle 1000 are available as a sample room 14 itself. In particular, the invention makes it possible to use one or more sulfur compounds, in particular a volatile sulfur compound VSC (as referred to by Oswald et al. as “volatile sulfur compounds”), as marker substances for cannabis (including cannabinoid CBD products). and to achieve improved detectability of cannabis with an analysis of exhaled air based on VSCs, in particular to provide a more achievable detection limit.

It has proven to be particularly preferred for the qualitative and/or quantitative analytical determination of the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds VSC an analysis of the gas phase is carried out in the amount of gas provided. Additionally or alternatively, when qualitatively and/or quantitatively analytically determining the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds VSC in the amount of gas provided, the amount of gas provided or a portion thereof can be avoided from the gas phase into the liquid or solid phase transfer and/or bind to liquid or solid carrier materials. This has the advantage that the effort that would otherwise be necessary to separate or particularly concentrate a gas sample or to prepare it in some other way can be eliminated. In this respect, sampling takes place directly from the gas phase of the vehicle interior, preferably by analyzing the gas phase itself.

This is possible by means of a suitable analysis device 10, which includes a sensor device 20 and which is designed to qualitatively and/or quantitatively analytically determine the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds VSC in that sample of the gas, i.e. for qualitatively and/or quantitatively analytically Determining the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds VSC in the gas phase of the vehicle interior.

In step V4, one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds VSC, such as dimethyl sulfide, are determined from the gas phase itself. The sensor device 20 as part of an analysis device 10 is based on the following 3 , 4 and 5 explained in detail.

In a query in step V5, it is possible by means of a suitable evaluation unit 30 to compare a concentration Cvsc of the gaseous sulfur-containing compounds VSC determined via the sensor device 20 with a suitably predetermined threshold value SW.

Should the query of step V5 be carried out within the scope of this in 2 illustrated embodiment results in that the concentration value Cvsc of the gaseous sulfur-containing compound VSC is above the threshold value SW, a blockade signal BS can be generated in a step V6.

In the other case, in which the concentration value Cvsc should be below the threshold value SW or at its limit, a release signal FS can be generated via the evaluation unit 30 as part of a step V7. Both the blocking signal BS and the release signal FS can be transmitted as required to a control unit or generally to a control device. This can be, for example, an engine control unit ECU shown here, this can also be a device for monitoring and/or controlling the vehicle 1000 that is completely or partially in the vehicle 1000 or connected to the vehicle 1000.

Specifically, the control device can include one or more decentralized control units in the vehicle 1000 and/or one or more control units that are not installed in the vehicle 1000 but are available externally to the vehicle 1000. In particular, control units and monitoring units that are externally connected to the vehicle 1000 and are available for the use of analytical and evaluation functions offer greater computing and data capacity in order to enable the evaluation unit to evaluate the analysis result of VSC, for example mobile devices, for example smartphones.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the control unit ECU can be designed to output a monitor signal M, for example, to a fitting A of the vehicle 1000 or to another output or interface of the vehicle 1000. Such another output or interface can, for example, output a signal and/or data establish a communicating connection to a server, for example for fleet management, or to a reception and evaluation unit at an official monitoring body such as a police station or the like.

The monitor signal M can be designed to prevent the entry and/or starting process V11, V12 in the first step V1 or to influence it in some other way. The monitor signal M can be designed individually and depending on the type of vehicle depending on vehicle availability, driving situation or objective. The control and/or display function of the monitor signal M can also be designed according to the type and design of the monitor signal. For example, depending on the level of the concentration of gaseous sulfur-containing compounds VSCs determined in step V4, a more or less severe impairment of the driving capabilities of the vehicle 1000 can be signaled via the monitor signal M, in order to influence step V1, for example by reducing the speed of the vehicle 1000.

3 shows, in a particularly preferred embodiment, an aforementioned analysis system 100 for carrying out the method of 2 and the 1 . In the present case, the analysis system 100 comprises an analysis device 10, which is installed in a vehicle 1000, not shown in detail here 6 can be implemented, ie is designed to be automatically executable for analyzing a quantity of a gas comprising or consisting of the exhaled air of one or more vehicle occupants as explained above.

The analysis device 10 is designed in particular to measure the amount of gas GS provided, as is the case using the embodiments of the method in 1 and 2 was explained to be contacted within a vehicle 1000 or to be operatively connected to it in some other way in order to determine analytical data about the composition of the exhaled air. Such a vehicle 1000 is in 6 shown schematically.

For this purpose, the analysis device 10 in the present case includes a VSC sensor 12, referred to here, which is installed in a sample space 14 of the vehicle 1000 or is operatively connected to the sample space 14 in some other way, namely for determining analytical data about the composition of the exhaled air. The so-called VSC sensor 12 here is designed to detect at least one gaseous sulfur-containing compound VSC. The presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds VSC (in particular the VSCs so named by Oswald et al.) in the amount of gas provided is determined analytically qualitatively and/or quantitatively. In this embodiment, this takes place in the amount of gas provided as a marker substance for cannabis, in particular as a marker substance for the smell of cannabis and/or a psychoactive active ingredient of cannabis.

The so-called VSC sensor 12 measures the gas sample to be analyzed directly in the gas phase, i.e. from the gas phase itself or a part of it, it is analyzed for gaseous sulfur-containing compounds VSC (in particular the aforementioned VSCs). This is done, for example, by automatically sensing the gas phase itself in the vehicle interior or a related air quantity, for example the ventilation, air conditioning or another cavity of the vehicle 1000 that is connected to the vehicle interior.

A sensor device 20 of the analysis device 10 can overall include the VSC sensor 12 and a suitably prepared sample space 14 or a sample space 14 that is available in the vehicle 1000 itself; So in this sense it is less a space for taking a sample than for carrying out a measurement on or in the gas-filled sample space 14 of the vehicle 1000.

In this sense, in the present case, when qualitatively and/or quantitatively analytically determining the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds 1000 in the amount of gas provided, an analysis of the gas phase is carried out. In addition, in the present case, when qualitatively and/or quantitatively analytically determining the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds VSC in the amount of gas provided, it is avoided to convert the amount of gas provided or a portion thereof from the gas phase into the liquid or solid phase and /or to bind to liquid or solid carrier materials.

The sensor device 20 is in connection with an analysis device 10. The analysis device 10 is primarily in signal connection with an evaluation unit 30, which is also part of the analysis system 100. The sensor device 20, the analysis device 10 and the evaluation unit 30 are signal-connected for the exchange of control signals 40 and/or determination signals 50.

The determination signals 50 serve to indicate the presence of a gaseous sulfur-containing compound VSC, referred to herein as VSC, and in particular one of those described by Oswald et al. so-called “Volatile Sulfur Compounds”. The determination signals 50 can, as shown here 3 shown include one or more determination information for the presence of a number of gaseous sulfur-containing compounds VSCs. The determination information 52 can be present, for example, in the form of a measurement profile, which can, for example, represent measured values or, in a suitable form, include measured values which indicate gaseous sulfur-containing compounds VSC quantitatively and/or qualitatively. This can preferably include, for example, the display of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds VSC, which -- as shown here -- have those of the thiol group SH such as, for example wise dimethyl sulfide, 3-methylthiophene, 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol, 3-methyl-1-(methylthio)-2-butene, 3-methyl-2-butenyl acetothioate, bis(3-methyl-2 -butenyl) sulfide, bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl) disulfide or others not mentioned here but listed as S2 and S3. S2 and S can also indicate sulfur-containing degradation, oxidation and other reaction products of the compounds mentioned. The measurement profile with the determination information 52 can also be supplemented with other values of gaseous organic substances VOC (“volatile organic compound”), of which, for example, terpinols T and flavonoids F are symbolically shown here.

The measurement profile can be transmitted here as a preferred example of determination information 52 as part of a determination signal 50 from the analysis device 10 to the evaluation unit 30.

The evaluation unit 30, in turn, can use control signals 40 to cause the analysis device 10 to adjust the measurement activity or monitoring activity accordingly. This can include, for example, setting the measurement accuracy or the measurement intensity as well as switching the analysis device 10 on and off.

In addition to the measurement profile shown here with the determination information 52, a suitable selection of analysis data 62 can be available in the evaluation unit 30. The analysis data 62 can be made available to the evaluation unit 30, for example via an analysis signal 60 from a database 70. For example, this can include analysis data 62 that is constructed similarly to the measurement profile with the determination information 52, so that a comparatively direct comparison of the analysis data 62 with the determination information 52 of the measurement profile is possible.

This is according to the embodiment 3 an evaluation unit 30 with a comparison module 80 is formed. For example, in the context of a computer-implemented environment with appropriate processor data and communication means, the comparison module 80 is able to compare the determination information 52 (in particular the measurement profile with the determination information 52) with the analysis data 62.

In the present case, for the sake of simplicity but in no way restricting it, the simple subtraction of the determination information 52 and analysis data 62 is shown in the context of a comparatively computational effort-saving implementation, whereby a difference value Δ can be determined.

The difference value Δ shown in simplified form can certainly be made more complex or can be calculated in a more complex way. For example, the comparison module 80 can be connected to a minimum error function unit Min-Err, 82 and/or to an artificial intelligence KI, 84.

It has been shown that in the context of an automated environment implemented in the vehicle 1000, the analysis device 10 should be able to repeatedly, continuously or in some other way constantly provide determination information 52 with suitable data sets of measurement profiles. In this respect, these can be repeated in a timed manner or adjusted in some other way for a driving course and more or less constantly compared with analysis data 62. In this respect, an error can be accumulated over time by repeatedly determining the difference value of a difference value Δ or the comparison can be optimized by incorporating the minimum error function 82. In this way, the robustness of the comparison method itself can be optimized.

As part of the artificial intelligence 84, an image comparison of two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally displayed arrays of measurement and analysis data 62 can also be designed. In simplified terms, the result Δ can be comparable to a complex threshold value SK, so that this can symbolically serve as an assessment result for driving ability.

The analysis system 100 can be expanded, in particular within the scope of the evaluation unit 30, with suitable devices in order to provide further, and above all other, sensory results; i.e. in order to be able to include these in addition to the threshold value comparison Δ > SK. This information in the broader sense, in particular sensory results in the broader sense, is also designed to evaluate a measure of a vehicle occupant's ability to drive, in particular the inability to drive.

For this purpose, one or more steps can be carried out to determine a different driving condition of a driver of the vehicle 1000. The result or results determined regarding a driver's other driving condition can be correlated with the Δ result. For example, another Driving condition of a driver of the vehicle 1000 can be used by means of a sensor-detected vehicle behavior FV and / or a sensor-detected driver behavior DV.

The vehicle behavior FV can, for example, include values for lane deviation, irregular or noticeable acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle 1000 as well as irregular or noticeable actuation of main or auxiliary resources of the vehicle 1000 - all of this information can be easily accessed via a vehicle control ECU or other controls or Actuators of the vehicle 1000 itself.

The recording of driver behavior DV can, for example, include sensory-detected physiological parameters of the driver, for example body and/or head postures, eye parameters, mouth parameters and in particular also humidity and/or temperature values or skin conductivity values of the driver's hands or other body parts.

This type of correlation can also be influenced and/or optimized by a computing device with a minimum error function 82 or an artificial intelligence 84.

4 shows a first embodiment of a sensor device 20 with a first variant of a VSC sensor 12.1, which is introduced into a sample space 14 of the vehicle 1000 or is operatively connected to the sample space 14 in some other way, so that the VSC sensor 12 comes directly from the gas phase analyzing sample of the gas, ie from the gas phase itself or a part of it. The sensor device 20 with the first variant of the VSC sensor 12.1 is here symbolically designed to implement a spectroscopic method, in particular designed to implement a laser spectroscopic method - the spectroscopic device in the present case comprises an emitter Emt and a detector Det and is designed as part of an absorption spectroscopic process . The amount of gas GS from breathing air has an influence on the laser radiation detected by the detector Det because the laser is tuned to an absorption line of VSC, ie the radiation from the emitter Emt. From the difference between emitter or detector signals of the emitter Emt or detector Det, a difference Δ can be determined, which is reflected in the measurement profile of the determination information 52 - in the present case an absorption line S of VSC is shown. In the field of laser spectroscopy, for example, the thiol group SH of 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol produces a characteristic absorption in the wavelength range between 3.8 and 4 μm. Furthermore, an absorption line T of a terpene or terpenoid and an absorption line F of a flavonoid are shown by way of example. The profile of absorption lines S, T and F represents a good opportunity to make the process robust.

The 5 shows a second embodiment of a sensor device 20 with a second variant of a VSC sensor 12.2, which is introduced into a sample space 14 of the vehicle 1000 or is operatively connected to the sample space 14 in some other way, so that the VSC sensor 12.2 comes directly from the gas phase analyzing sample of the gas GS, ie from the gas phase itself or a part of it. A preferred sensor device 20 shown here works according to the concept of a chemoresistor analysis, namely in the present case using chemoresistors with sensors comprising gold nanoparticles Au _NP for sensing a VSC. Due to the high affinity of thiols for gold, those chemoresistors based on gold nanoparticles AU _NP are preferred as sensors.

The amount of gas GS directly from the gas phase of the vehicle interior comes into contact with the gold nanoparticles Au _NP as part of the flow indicated by the directional arrow and provides a resistance or conductivity measurement value, which in turn can be evaluated as part of the previously explained determination information 50 with a corresponding measurement profile with the determination information 52 can be designed. 6 shows a particularly preferred embodiment of an entire analysis system 100 with a vehicle 1000. The analysis system 100 can be accommodated completely in the vehicle 1000; But it can also be --obviously 6 -- the entire analysis system 100 can only be partially implemented in the vehicle 1000. For this purpose, the previously explained sensor device 20 with a VSC sensor 12 housed in a sample room 14 can be signal-connected to an analysis device 10 housed in the vehicle control; For example, the sensor device 20, or the sensor 12, can be in signal connection with the evaluation unit 30.

In the present case, the evaluation unit 30 is in signal connection with a database 70, which is housed in a central server of the analysis system 100. The comparison module 80 can be accommodated entirely or partially in the evaluation unit 30 in the vehicle and/or in the server of the analysis system 100. Especially involving more complex calculations for an AI 84 or a minimum error function Min-Err 82, accommodating the comparison module 80 on a server outside the vehicle 1000 has proven successful.

In 6 It can also be seen that the method according to the embodiment in 1 starts directly with the analysis of a quantity of a gas from exhaled air in the vehicle, ie the analysis of the amount of gas GS from exhaled air in the gas phase within the vehicle 1000 itself. Basically, the gas phase of the vehicle interior is as in 6 shown is preferred, but not limited to.

For example, the gas phase of the air conditioning and ventilation systems connected to the vehicle interior can also be used to analyze the amount of gas GS from exhaled air directly from the gas phase in the vehicle 1000. It is also possible to have 1,000 cavities available in parts of the vehicle, which can be used to analyze the amount of gas GS; for example the ones in 6 Specified areas of the seats, the fittings and the steering wheel.

Reference symbols (part of the description)

S

Start of the procedure

W

Repetition

E

End of the procedure

S1...S3, V1...V7

Steps of the procedure

V11, V12

Entry process, starting process

VSC

gaseous sulfur-containing compound (“volatile sulfur compound”)

SW, SK

Threshold, complex threshold

FS

Release signal

B.S

Blocking signal

CVSC

Concentration value of the gaseous sulfur-containing compound

ECU

Engine control unit

M

Monitor signal

A

fitting

G.S

Amount of gas

Δ

Difference value

Δ > SK

Threshold comparison

DV

Driver behavior

FV

Vehicle behavior

Emt

Emitter

Det

detector

AuNP

Gold nanoparticles

SH

thiol group

T

Terpinole

F

Flavonoids

10

Analysis facility

12

VSC sensor; Sensor for gaseous sulfur-containing compound

12.1, 12.2

first variant, second variant of the VSC sensor

14

Rehearsal room

20

Sensor device

30

Evaluation unit

40

Control signal

50

Determination signal

52

Destination information

60

Analysis signal

62

Analysis data

70

Database

80

Comparison module

82

Minimum error function unit Min-Err,

84

artificial intelligence AI

100

Analysis system

1000

vehicle

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102020203584 A1 [0005]
• DE 102018200003 A1 [0005]
• WO 2019/027723 A1 [0010]
• US 9921234 B1 [0011]
• WO 2020/026120 A1 [0012]
• US 2021/0253976 A1 [0029]

Claims (19)

Method for analyzing a quantity of a gas present within a vehicle (1000), comprising or consisting of (i) the exhaled air of one or more vehicle occupants or (ii) a fraction of this exhaled air, with the following steps: - Providing (S1) the amount of gas within the vehicle (1000), - for determining (S2) analytical data about the composition of the exhaled air, qualitative and/or quantitative analytical determination (S3) of the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds (VSC) in the amount of gas provided. Procedure according to Claim 1 , with the steps - for providing the amount of gas, taking a sample of the gas within the vehicle (1000), - for determining analytical data about the composition of the exhaled air, qualitative and / or quantitative analytical determination of the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds (VSC) in the sample of gas. Procedure according to Claim 1 or 2 , wherein - when qualitatively and/or quantitatively analytically determining the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds (VSC) in the amount of gas provided, an analysis of the gas phase is carried out, and/or - when qualitatively and/or quantitatively analytically determining the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds (VSC) in the amount of gas provided is avoided, the amount of gas provided or a part thereof is avoided from the gas phase into the liquid or solid phase and/or bound to liquid or solid carrier materials. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the gaseous sulfur-containing compound (VSC) or one, several or all of the several gaseous sulfur-containing compounds (VSC) is or are selected from the group consisting of - dimethyl sulfide, - 3-methylthiophene, - 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol, - 3-Methyl-1-(methylthio)-2-butene, - 3-Methyl-2-butenyl acetothioate, - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl) sulfide, - Bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl) disulfide and - Sulfur-containing degradation, oxidation and other reaction products of the compounds mentioned. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of qualitatively and/or quantitatively analytically determining the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds (VSC) in the amount of gas provided comprises one or more of the following analytical methods: - a spectroscopic method, in particular selected from the group consisting of: laser spectroscopic methods, absorption spectroscopic methods and combinations thereof; - a chemoresistor analysis, preferably using chemoresistors with sensors comprising gold nanoparticles. Method according to one of the preceding claims, with the following additional step: - qualitative and/or quantitative analytical determination of the presence of one or more further, preferably organic, compounds in the amount of gas provided, preferably of one or more further compounds selected from the group consisting of - Terpenes and terpenoids, preferably myrcene, α-pinene, β-pinene, caryophyllene and terpinolene - Flavonoids and - 2,5-dimethylfuran. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the step of qualitatively and/or quantitatively analytically determining the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds (VSC) in the amount of gas provided, at least two, three, four or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds (VSC) are determined analytically, preferably the respective amounts of these gaseous sulfur-containing compounds (VSC) in the amount of gas provided are determined quantitatively analytically. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the step of qualitatively and/or quantitatively analytically determining the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds (VSC) in the amount of gas provided, data is determined to create a fingerprint of the gas composition for comparison with the Data from a fingerprint database, preferably the gaseous sulfur-containing compound (VSC) or one, several or all of the several gaseous sulfur-containing compounds (VSC) being selected or are from the group consisting of - dimethyl sulfide, - 3-methylthiophene, - 3-methyl -2-buten-1-thiol, - 3-methyl-1 -(methylthio)-2-butene, - 3-methyl-2-butenyl acetothioate, - bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl) sulfide, - bis (3-methyl-2-butenyl) disulfide and - sulfur-containing degradation, oxidation and other reaction products of the compounds mentioned, and preferably additionally a step of qualitative and / or quantitative analytical determination of the presence of one or more further compounds in the provided amount of gas, preferably from one or more further, preferably organic, compounds selected from the group consisting of - terpenes and terpenoids, preferably myrcene, α-pinene, β-pinene, caryophyllene and terpinolene - flavonoids and - 2,5-dimethylfuran is carried out in such a way that in this step further data is determined to create a fingerprint of the gas composition for comparison with the data from a fingerprint database. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method is carried out continuously or repeatedly over time in order to determine and preferably evaluate temporal changes in the composition of the exhaled air of one or more vehicle occupants, preferably while the vehicle (1000) is traveling, particularly preferably before and while driving. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the gaseous sulfur-containing compounds (VSC) and / or the further, preferably organic, compounds in the amount of gas provided as a marker substance for cannabis, in particular as a marker substance for the smell of cannabis and / or a psychoactive active ingredient determined by cannabis. Method for evaluating a measure of driving ability, in particular the inability to drive, of a vehicle occupant, comprising a method according to one of Claims 1 until 10 , with the following additional step: - Assessment of a measure of driving ability, in particular the inability to drive, and / or the cannabis consumption of one or more of the vehicle occupants on the basis of the analytical data determined on the composition of the exhaled air. Procedure according to Claim 11 for evaluating a measure of driving ability, in particular the inability to drive of a vehicle occupant, characterized by one or more steps for determining a different driving condition of a driver of the vehicle (1000), in particular wherein the driver's other driving condition is determined by means of sensory detection of vehicle behavior (FV) and / or a driver behavior (DV), preferably where the sensory detection is selected from the group of detection steps consisting of: - Detection of a lane deviation of the vehicle (1000) - Detection of an irregular or noticeable acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle (1000) - Detection of a irregular or conspicuous operation of main or auxiliary resources of the vehicle (1000), - detection of a driver's body and/or head position in the seat - detection of an irregular or conspicuous eye parameter of the driver, such as pupil size and/or blinking - detection of an irregular or conspicuous mouth parameter of the driver, - detection of an irregular or abnormal moisture and/or temperature value and/or skin conductivity value on the hand or body of the driver, preferably an overall representation and/or evaluation of the determined analytical data about the composition of the exhaled air and the sensory detection of the vehicle behavior (FV) and/or driver behavior (DV). Use of analytical data regarding the presence of gaseous sulfur-containing compounds (VSC) selected from the group consisting of - dimethyl sulfide, - 3-methylthiophene, - 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol, - 3-methyl-1 -(methylthio )-2-butene, - 3-methyl-2-butenyl acetothioate, - bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl) sulfide, - bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl) disulfide and - sulfur-containing degradation, oxidation and other reaction products of the compounds mentioned, in a gas present within a vehicle (1000), comprising or consisting of (i) the exhaled air of one or more vehicle occupants or (ii) a fraction of this exhaled air, when assessing a measure of driving ability, in particular the Inability to drive and/or cannabis consumption of one or more of the vehicle occupants, the analytical data preferably being determined in a method according to one of the preceding claims. Use of an analysis device (10) for analyzing a quantity of a gas present within a vehicle (1000) within a vehicle (1000), comprising or consisting of the exhaled air of one or more vehicle occupants of the vehicle (100), when assessing a measure of driving ability, in particular the inability to drive and/or the cannabis consumption of one or more vehicle occupants and/or in a method for assessing a measure of the ability to drive, in particular the inability to drive, of a vehicle occupant, wherein the analysis device (10) is set up to carry out a method according to one of Claims 1 until 12 to carry out. Analysis device (10), which is designed to be implemented in a vehicle (1000), for analyzing a quantity of a gas present within a vehicle (1000) comprising or consisting of the exhaled air of one or more vehicle occupants, the analysis device being set up to carry out a method according to one of the previous ones Claims 1 until 12 to carry out and has: - a sample space (14) for taking a sample of the gas within the vehicle (1000), - a sensor device (20) designed for qualitative and / or quantitative analytical determination of the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds (VSC) in the sample of the gas in the sample room (14). Analysis system (100) having an analysis device (10). Claim 15 , which is implemented in a vehicle (1000), and further comprises: - an evaluation unit (30) signal-connected to the analysis device (10), the sensor device (20) and the analysis device (10) for exchanging control signals (40) and the presence of gaseous sulfur-containing compounds (VSC) are signal-connected to determination signals (50). Analysis system (100). Claim 16 , wherein the determination signals (50) are designed to display one or more of the determination information (52) for the presence of a number of gaseous sulfur-containing compounds (VSC), which are selected from the group consisting of: - measured value for the presence of a gaseous sulfur-containing compound (VSC) - measurement profile for the presence of the number of gaseous sulfur-containing compound (VSC), preferably selected from the group consisting of - dimethyl sulfide, - 3-methylthiophene, - 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol, - 3-methyl -1-(methylthio)-2-butene, - 3-methyl-2-butenyl acetothioate, - bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl) sulfide, - bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl) disulfide and - sulfur-containing Degradation, oxidation and other reaction products of the compounds mentioned and - logic and/or numerical value for the qualitative and/or quantitative analytically determined presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds (VSC). Analysis system (100). Claim 16 or 17 , wherein the evaluation unit (30) signal-connected to the analysis device (10) has: - a comparison module (80) for comparing (i) determination information (52) obtained in the step of qualitatively and/or quantitatively analytically determining the presence of one or more gaseous sulfur-containing compounds (VSC) in the amount of gas provided (ii) analysis data (62) from a database (70), for determining a physical or mental condition of the vehicle occupant(s) and/or for assessing a measure of driving ability, in particular the inability to drive, and/or the cannabis consumption of one or more of the vehicle occupants. Vehicle (1000) for transporting one or more vehicle occupants, comprising an analysis system (100) for evaluating a measure of driving ability, in particular the inability to drive, and/or the cannabis consumption of one or more vehicle occupants, wherein the analysis system (100) has an analysis device (10 ) after Claim 15 includes, in particular an analysis system (100). Claim 16 or 17 is.

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