KR20130140199A - A device, a system and a method for alcohol measurement - Google Patents

Abstract

The alcohol measuring device 10 includes an inlet for receiving a user breath and a gas sensor 15. The connector of the alcohol measuring device 10 is configured to be connected to the sound port 110 of the terminal 20, such as a mobile phone, smartphone, tablet or similar mobile device. The alcohol measuring device 10 is arranged to transmit the measurement data through the connector 14 to the sound port 110 of the terminal in the form of an analog signal representing the sound. Two-way communication through the sound port 110 may transmit a command from the terminal 20 to the alcohol measuring device 10.

Description

A DEVICE, A SYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR ALCOHOL MEASUREMENT

The present invention generally relates to alcohol measuring devices, systems and methods. More specifically, the present invention relates to an alcohol measurement concept that includes a measuring device for connecting to a terminal, in particular a mobile phone, smartphone, tablet or similar mobile device.

It is sometimes desirable to analyze a person's breath to test whether it contains certain substances. The most common example of this is to determine the alcohol content (ethanol) in the subject's breath to determine whether the subject has consumed too much alcohol in performing certain tasks, such as driving a car or operating a machine. To test.

Known alcohol meters traditionally have the disadvantage of being slightly larger in size and expensive. Various efforts have been made to address these shortcomings. The prior art, for example, in US 2004081582A, KR 20060124885A and KR 20020070401A, includes several proposed solutions associated with the use of mobile phones in connection with alcohol measurement. However, these prior art proposals require a significant change of the mobile phone and / or a brand-specific solution for the measurement device.

According to a first aspect of the inventive concept, there is provided an apparatus for connecting a measurement device to a terminal, such as a mobile telephone, for displaying measurement data on a display of an inlet, a gas sensor, and a terminal for receiving user exhalation. An alcohol measuring device including a connector is provided. The connector of the device is configured to be connected to a sound port of the terminal, and the measuring device is arranged to transmit measurement data through the connector to the sound port of the terminal in the form of an analog signal representing sound.

The measuring device is preferably a portable device and the terminal is preferably a mobile terminal, in particular a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet or the like. Mobile terminals, such as cell phones, are part of everyday accessories that users carry almost all the time. Mobile terminals also provide access to data and information useful to the user. The concept of the present invention makes it possible to use a mobile terminal as a portable data analysis terminal. However, problems associated with mobile terminals from other manufacturers, even from the same manufacturer, are different forms and standards of data ports and communication protocols. Thus, when connecting external devices to mobile terminals of different brands or components, there is a traditional need to adopt physical connections, interfaces and communication protocols. In other words, a device that can be attached to such a mobile terminal has traditionally been applied only to each particular terminal, which may require cost and limitations.

The concept of the present invention makes it possible to provide an alcohol measuring apparatus that can be connected to a terminal to provide measurement data information without using a specific data port for each brand of the terminal for connection and data transfer. Thus, the concept of the present invention makes it easy to adopt to various kinds of terminals, especially mobile phones, smart phones, tablets and other mobile devices. The concept of the invention takes advantage of the fact that almost all mobile phones, smartphones, tablets and many other terminals are provided with a common standardized headset / microphone port or socket, and a common headset / microphone socket (audio port). According to the concept of the invention, the measurement data is transmitted from the measuring device to the terminal as one or more analog signals corresponding to the sound signal. This analog signal is received by the sound or audio port of the terminal, after which the analog signal can be processed at the terminal in any suitable way using circuitry already present in the terminal to process the existing sound signal. The result can be presented to the user in a display often seen in such a terminal.

In a typical embodiment, the measuring device converts a digital signal corresponding to the measured value into an analog signal for output through a connector of the measuring device (hereinafter referred to as the "sound connector of the device"). Can be deployed. In particular, the analog signal may include information transmitted through frequency change / modulation of the carrier. Thus, data can be delivered by a signal corresponding to a sound signal. In one embodiment, the measurement data may be transmitted from the measuring device to the terminal using, for example, a low frequency or tone representing zero and a high frequency or tone representing one.

The term sound should be construed without being limited to any particular frequency band, ie including ultra sound and infrastructure sound.

In a preferred embodiment, the sound connector of the measuring device comprises a standard type sound (audio) plug or sound socket, preferably a TRRS connector. The TRRS connector represents four contacts, or poles, which are common ground with the left speaker, right speaker, and microphone. In this embodiment, the microphone contact may be used for data transfer to the terminal. The preferred reason for using a 4-pole TRRS connector rather than a simple 3-pole TRS connector is as follows: Today's smartphones are designed to distinguish headsets with or without a microphone. This is done by a smartphone with a microphone connector connected to ground. Therefore, when the TRS connector is used in the measuring device of the present invention, there may be a situation where the smartphone cannot properly detect the connector and bidirectional communication will not be possible as described below.

In addition to the transfer of measurement data from the measuring device to the terminal, the inventive concept also allows for bidirectional communication (duplex) between the measuring device and the terminal via the sound connector of the device and the sound port of the terminal.

In particular, the contact (connector portion) of the sound connector of the measuring device, which corresponds to the "microphone contact" of the terminal's standardized sound port, transmits data to the terminal in the form of analog "sound signals". While the sound or speaker contact (s) of the sound port of the terminal can be used to convey an analog “sound signal” in the opposite direction from the terminal to the measurement device. Different frequencies can be used for different purposes. In one embodiment, this bidirectional communication is half-duplex (one direction at a time).

In a preferred embodiment using such bidirectional communication via a sound port arrangement, the terminal can act as a master and the measurement device can act as a slave. Master / slave arrangements generally allow the result to be bidirectional in both directions.

In addition, the measuring device may comprise at least one memory unit for storing measurement data for the next transfer to the terminal. The device may be arranged to store only one measurement sample from the user (ie the result from one breath of the user), or preferably a plurality of measurement samples. According to this embodiment, the measurement device may be arranged to accept one or more calls of a user and store measurement data related to the device, without first being connected to the terminal. The device is then connected to the sound port of the terminal for delivering stored measurement data to the terminal. After completing the data transfer, this data can be automatically deleted from the memory unit, preferably without user intervention.

The memory unit may be part of the processor chip in a measurement unit, such as RAM memory, in a practical embodiment. The processor chip may include RAM memory (work memory) for this use and also flash memory for the software controlling the processor. In other embodiments, separate memory units may be used.

The measuring device may also comprise means for providing a "time stamp" for each measurement sample or data, ie information corresponding to when the sample is selected. This embodiment is particularly preferably combined using the above-mentioned memory unit. Thus, a user can easily perform a separate aerobic measurement or sample using a sequential portable measurement device that is not initially connected to the terminal and sequentially using different aerobic measurements or samples at different time points (e.g., one hour each day during the evening). have. Then, at a convenient next time, the user carries the measurement device (eg, carrying the measurement data and associated time stamp data stored therein) to the terminal (for example, carrying the measurement data containing the time stamp information to the terminal). Phone, etc.)

In a simple embodiment, each measurement may include a time stamp aspect, which is delivered directly to the terminal without any data storage.

The connector of the measuring device may be one of a TRS (tip, ring, sleeve) connector, TRRS (tip, ring, ring, sleeve), audio plug, telephone plug, stereo plug, mini plug, or mini stereo audio connector.

In one embodiment, the measuring device may comprise a rechargeable power source. In general, the battery is not charged by the terminal through the sound port.

In a preferred embodiment, the measuring device also includes a processor unit that controls the operation of the device. The processor can control the measurements performed by the sensors, control various internal data transfer tasks and storage in the device, and control communication with the terminal. The processor may also place light and / or sound signals to control interaction with the user. The processor may also make some initial measurements of alcohol concentration levels. Further analysis of the measurement data can be performed at the terminal after data transfer.

According to a second aspect of the inventive concept, there is provided an alcohol measuring system comprising an alcohol measuring device as described above and a terminal provided with a sound port for receiving measurement data from a measuring device in the form of an analog sound representing a signal. do.

The terminal may be a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet or the like, provided with a display for displaying a result to a user based on the measurement data appropriately processed on the terminal before being received from the measuring device and viewed. Preferably, the mobile terminal comprises an application for controlling communication with the measurement device, processing and evaluating the received measurement data, and controlling displaying user information on the display of the terminal.

The terminal may be provided with a means (GPS) for setting the position of the terminal to set the current alcohol rule or restriction in the terminal in the relevant region / country. This rule can be provided to the user in combination with the measurement data and can also be used to estimate when the alcohol level has decreased to a low level sufficient to correspond to the rule.

According to a third aspect of the inventive concept, there is provided a method for use in alcohol measurement, the method comprising:

Providing a measuring device providing a measuring device having a gas sensor;

Performing alcohol measurement using the device;

A measurement data transfer step of transferring corresponding measurement data in the form of an analog signal to the terminal via the sound port of the terminal; And

An information display step of displaying information on the display of the terminal based on the received measurement data.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, the initial measurement is performed when the device is not connected to the terminal. The measurement data is temporarily stored in the measuring device. Then, at a point in time that is convenient for the user, the measurement device is connected to the sound port of the terminal and the stored measurement data is transmitted to the terminal as an analog "sound signal". Further evaluation of the measurement data can be done at the terminal.

When using a memory for storing the measurement data, the user may perform two or more alcohol measurements at different points in time before connecting the device to the terminal. The method may further comprise storing data associated with the time point (time stamp) when each measurement is taken, and delivering corresponding time stamp information along with the measurement data to the terminal.

Further concepts of the inventive concept, some non-limiting embodiments, and the inventive concept will now be described with reference to the drawings.
1 illustrates an exemplary alcohol measurement system in accordance with one embodiment of the inventive concept.
2a and 2b show a schematic embodiment of a measuring device in accordance with the inventive concept.
3 is an exemplary block diagram of some electronics of a measurement device.
4 shows a sound connector for use with the device in FIGS. 2A and 2B.
5 is an exemplary block diagram of an electronic device of a terminal.
6 is a front view of the screen of the terminal.
7 illustrates steps of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8A-8D show examples of application user displays / interfaces.

1 schematically shows an embodiment of a measuring device 10 attached to a terminal 20, which together form a system 100. The device 10 is configured as a separate unit that can be attached and detached from the terminal 20. Preferably, the size of the measuring device makes it possible to use it as a portable device. As a non-limiting example, the size of the measurement device may be similar to the size of a USB stick. The terminal 20 is shown in this embodiment as a mobile phone (smartphone) having an earphone / microphone socket 110, a display 120, and a data port 130. In general, a terminal that can be used in the concepts of the present invention will be a terminal having a standardized sound port 110.

In the example of FIG. 1, the mobile terminal 20 to which the portable measurement device 10 is connected is a mobile phone such as Apple's iPhone, an Android or suitable OS-based mobile phone, or any other portable electronic such as Apple's iPod Touch. Devices or tablets, Apple iPads, mobile devices based on Google's Android operating system, software, firmware, hardware, or at least exchange signals with information servers to receive signals, decode when needed, and provide relevant information. It may be a personal computer including a combination thereof and the like, but is not limited thereto.

Typical components of mobile terminal 20 may include a processor, permanent memory such as flash ROM, random access memory such as SRAM, camera, battery, LCD driver, display, mobile phone antenna, speaker, Bluetooth circuitry and WIFI circuitry. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the permanent memory may include an operating system for a program, an application, and / or a mobile device.

2a and 2b schematically show two different designs of the measuring device 10, shown without the terminal 20 connected. This embodiment mainly differs in the position and orientation of the plug 14.

As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the measuring device 10 comprises a signal plug 14 in the form of a conventional four-pole TRRS audio plug. In the following, the signal plug 14 is referred to as the “sound connector 14” of the device 10. The sound connector 14 is used to transfer data from at least the measuring device 10 to the terminal 20. In a preferred embodiment, the sound connector 14 is also used to convey data in the opposite direction, for example to transmit command signals and other optional signals from the terminal to the device. In addition, the sound connector 14 may be used to attach and support the measurement device 10, when connected to the terminal 20, so that no other physical connection or support is required, as shown in FIG. 1.

According to the concept of the invention, the measuring device 10 functions as an alcohol-meter {alco-meter.] The term alcohol-meter as used herein refers to a device for respiratory analysis. This device is a device for estimating blood alcohol (ethanol) content (BAC) from breath samples.

The portable measuring device 10 has at least one with an exhalation inlet 12, a switch or function button 13 for activating / deactivating the device 10 (eg in sleep mode) and entering the measuring mode. Is shown as including a housing 11, a signal plug 14 extending from the housing 11, and an optional signal arrangement 16. In the embodiment in FIG. 2A, the pipe 121 is disposed inside the housing 11 extending from the inlet 12, and used to direct exhalation into the pipe 121.

The gas sensors 15 are arranged in such a way that the blowing air is exchanged or thereby exchanged. The gas sensor 15 is preferably of low power consumption in view of the limited power available in the device 10, especially when used as a separate portable device during the measurement operation. In some embodiments, the internal structure may include a wall or the like against which the blowing air hits during use, where the blowing air flow flows around the wall and then reaches the sensor. This embodiment may be desirable because the blowing air does not hit the sensor directly, making the measurement data obtained more reliable.

The device 10 also includes an electronic device 17 and a power source 19 in the form of a rechargeable battery. The power source 19 is used for powering electronics, sensors and signal arrays. In some embodiments, charger socket 25 (FIG. 2B, for example a mini USB connector) may be provided to charge rechargeable power source 19.

The signal arrangement 16, which may include a light emitting diode (LED), may be used for the device to indicate different status or error indications, for example using different colored lights. The LEDs can indicate device operating status, battery charge status, the user's exhalation prompt, or the user's exhalation prompt. The signal may comprise an audio signal unit (sound generating unit) 23.

The measuring device 10 may be configured to generate an alarm (visual, auditory) based on the comparison of the measured value and the limit value stored in the memory. This limit value can be provided via a plug from the terminal at the time of mounting. 2b shows a sound unit 23 for this purpose.

Reference numeral 27 denotes a crystal based clock used to connect each exhalation sample with a real time time stamp. This operation will be described further below. In addition, a temperature sensor 29 is arranged to adjust the measurement when the ambient temperature is high or low.

2A and 2B, the housing 11 of the device 10 is designed to extend in one direction from the signal plug or sound connector 14. In some embodiments, the sound connector 14 may be mounted (eg, sliding or folding) into the housing 11. In some embodiments, the signal plug 14 is configured to extend beyond the housing 11 to be connected and received with a mobile terminal 20 (eg, a mobile phone) having a case or with a recessed plug-in socket. The socket may be a microphone input socket or a line of audio input of a terminal, but is not limited thereto.

In particular, it should be noted that the sound connector 14 of the measuring device 10 may have a configuration other than the four-contact TRRS type plug shown. Alternatively, the sound connector 14 may be a female TRS-type, or a TRRS-type socket that can be connected to the terminal via a separate cable. However, since current smartphones are designed to "listen" at the contacts of a microphone pole or plug, a TRRS type plug is preferred for today's smartphones. It is also possible to use other types of adapters between the device 10 and the terminal 20, for example to indirectly connect the measuring device 10 to the terminal 20.

The housing 11 of the device 10 may be made of a non-conductive material such as plastic so that the device 10 does not interfere with the operation of the terminal 20. This may be especially true if the device 10 is in the connected state with the terminal during the actual measurement. This choice of material is particularly important because the outer case of a particular mobile terminal is conductive and the metal case of the device acts as an antenna that, when touched with the housing of the terminal, can potentially interfere with its operation.

According to the inventive concept, the device 10 can be used for respiratory analysis in the form of an alcohol-meter. Alco-meters in expiratory form do not directly measure blood alcohol content or concentrations requiring analysis of blood samples. Instead, the amount of alcohol in the user's breath is measured to indirectly estimate blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Other techniques can be used for this purpose, such as infrared spectrophotometer techniques, electrochemical fuel cell techniques, or a combination of both. Portable field test devices are generally based on electrochemical platinum fuel cell analysis. Thus, the sensor may be one of an infrared spectrophotometer, an electrochemical fuel cell, a combination thereof or another suitable sensor for this purpose.

3 schematically shows the electronic component part 17 of the device 10. According to this exemplary embodiment, the electronic device is composed of a controller 171, an input unit 172, an output unit 173, and a memory unit 174. The controller 171 implemented as a microprocessor controls various functions of the measuring device. It controls all sound signal communication with the terminal, performs measurements using the sensor 15, controls communication (light and sound) with the user, and controls the user's actions such as the user's button 13 operation. Detect.

The input unit 172 receives a signal corresponding to the level of the gas sensed from the sensor 15 and provides it to the controller 171. The output unit 173 receives a signal from the controller 171 corresponding to the measured level, converts it into a sound signal (described below), and outputs it through the sound connector 14. The output unit 173 can also control the LED 16. The memory unit 174 may store data for comparison with instructions for operating the controller. The memory unit 174, or additional memory unit, may store sample and time stamp data. Of course, the controller, input and output units, and memory can be implemented in one single circuit.

Although the diagrams are shown as functionally separate components, these illustrations are for illustrative purposes only. It will be apparent that the components shown in this figure can be arbitrarily combined or divided into separate software, firmware and / or hardware components. As mentioned above, the microprocessor chip used in this apparatus may include a flash memory for storing software and a RAM memory used as a working memory for storing measurement data and time stamp data.

The operation of the output unit 173 of the measuring device 10 is as follows: The digital signal corresponding to the measured value from the sensor 15 received from the controller 171 is a signal representing sound, that is, an analog signal, For example, it is transformed using frequency shift modulation (FSK). FSK is a frequency modulation scheme in which digital information is conveyed through discrete frequency changes of the carrier. Other modulation techniques can be used.

The output unit 173 may also receive a sound signal from the terminal 20 via the sound connector 14 and convert it into a digital signal. These input signals may include commands and instructions from the terminal 20 to the measurement device 10. Thus, the digital signal is converted into "tones" with different frequencies representing the digital levels (0 and 1). The measuring device 10 transmits data via the sound connector 14 to the terminal via the sound port (microphone contact) of the terminal. In the case of bidirectional use, the measuring device 10 is connected to the earphone contact (left and //). Or right) to receive data. Generally, half bidirectional is used.

The generated sound signal is provided to the terminal 20 via the connector 14. The sound connector 14 may be an audio plug or jack, a telephone plug, a stereo plug, a TRRS (tip, ring, ring, sleeve) connector, also known as a mini plug, or a mini stereo audio connector. The sound connector 14 may be formed in several sizes, such as a miniaturized version that is 3.5 mm or 2.5 mm. An exemplary embodiment of the connector 14 is shown in FIG. 4. Sound connector 14 includes four conductive portions or contacts: common ground 141, microphone 142, left speaker / sound 143 and right speaker / sound 144. This means that the measuring device 10 can be delivered using microphone contacts and can be received using one or both of the contacts of the left and right speakers.

5 schematically shows an electronic device of the terminal 20. The electronic device may include a processor 203, an A / D converter 202, an I / O interface 204, and a memory unit 205. Several components can of course be integrated into one controller circuit. If the terminal is a communication terminal, it may include a communication unit 206. The function of the communication unit is assumed to be well known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here. The A / D converter 202 is shown connected to the sound port 110 of the terminal 20.

An analog “sound” signal is received from the measurement device 10 at the sound port 110, and the A / D converter 202 converts the analog signal into a digital signal to the processor 203. The processor 203 may process a signal that determines the level of gas. The level may compare the value stored in the memory 205 or the value received from the database using the communication unit. The I / O unit 204 may be configured to control input and output for various interfaces of the terminal. For example, the display, control keys, and other portions of interacting with the user may be controlled by the I / O unit 204 on signals received from the processor 203.

6 schematically shows an exemplary terminal 20 in the form of a smartphone, including a display 120 for providing information to a user. According to this example, the terminal 20 is arranged to display the level of alcohol measured by the measuring device 10. The display may include different fields for different types of information input and output. According to an example, the first field 211 indicates the number of measured values, such as a graph (time-level). The second field 212 is to receive input for the area and / or automatically display the area for search using GPS and / or network location. This feature can be helpful if the user is traveling and does not have information about the alcohol level of the current place. This information can be retrieved automatically from the service provider or stored in memory. The third field 213 is used to display the current level and may use colors for additional information, for example red for warnings, green for acceptable levels, and the like. The terminal may generate a sound alert or information.

Thus, the terminal may be provided with an application (“app”) that preprograms or executes the display of the measurement results. The application can be downloaded from a service provider, such as Apple's App Store, or the Android Market, or provided to the terminal to perform a search of measured values and display relevant information. In one embodiment, the application may run in idle-mode and start when the measurement device is connected to the terminal.

The measuring device 10 comprises a memory containing the brand information, such as the name of the company and / or logo in order to convey the information of the corresponding brand for the terminal 20 to a display on the terminal to which the device is connected. It may include.

8A-8D show an example of a user interface on the display of the terminal 20 in the case of a smartphone. 8a shows the most recent measurement (0, 30). The exclamation point shows that the value is "illegal" (> 0.2). The user also knows the expected time when the level reaches zero. 8b shows a corresponding diagram. In the upper part of the screen, the diagram (level vs time) shows the alcohol level measured at different points in time. Horizontal dashed lines (0, 20) represent legal restrictions on driving in the region / country identified by the GPS function of the cellular phone. The lower part of the display shows details about the different measurements (level and time).

8C and 8D correspond to FIGS. 8A and 8B, respectively, but are diagrams of past measurement data (0.8). The text on the exclamation point shows past values that are not used.

The measuring device 10 may be provided with a unique ID that connects to a particular user and / or application / application site, for example a vehicle, a work site, a region, and the like. The ID is then provided to the terminal and can measure a value for the particular user processed (stored).

7 shows some exemplary stepwise embodiments of the invention. In a first step, (1) alcohol measurement is performed, (2) the result is processed in a controller, (3) is then converted from an analog form into an analog signal, including the frequency change of the carrier in the measuring device, and (4) is delivered to the terminal via a plug. (5) The terminal receives the analog signal, (6) converts it to a digital signal, (7) processes the signal, and (8) displays the result.

The measuring device can display the following working modes:

slip mode

The device 10 will first be in sleep mode (standby). This mode consumes less power. Does not perform a function, but keeps track of time.

Normal operation mode

When the user activates the function button 13, the device 10 is activated in its sleep mode. It will form a pip sound, and the LED 16 will give a green flash. If the device 10 is connected via the connector 14, the device 10 is now ready to communicate with the terminal 20.

If the user decides to take a measurement, press the button 13 again for about 2 seconds. The device then switches to the next mode, "pre-heating."

If the user does not perform any task or does not connect the device 10 to the terminal, the device 10 automatically returns to the sleep mode.

Preheat mode

In this mode, the processor 171 controls the voltage level used for sensor preheating. During actual preheating, the voltage is very high to get a faster heating rise. After a short period of time (5-10 seconds), the device switches to the next mode, the normal heating mode. During the warm up period, the LED 16 is red.

Normal heating mode

In this mode, the processor 171 controls the voltage level for the sensor 15 to the level used in the actual measurement. Once the output from the sensor 15 is stabilized (ie, the alcohol concentration signal), the device is ready for the user's exhalation. LED 16 is now green. When the user starts exhalation, the device switches to measurement mode.

Measure mode

During the measurement mode (ie, during the user exhalation phase), the microprocessor “records” the alcohol concentration signal and stores the actual “curve” locally in the processor memory.

During exhalation, the device 10 will generate sound 23 and flash red 16 for about 5 seconds. The measurement is then completed and this measurement is the time for processor 171 to perform " calculations. &Quot;

In one embodiment, the measuring device can be arranged to calculate the number of measurements. Based on the calculated number, the user may decide to start the calibration of the sensor at an appropriate number of levels, for example by sending the measuring device to the manufacturer for calibration.

Calculation mode

The processor retrieves relevant information from the measurement curve regarding the alcohol concentration level. This measurement data is stored in a measurement package (measurement data). Later, terminal 20 reads the contents of this data package.

This data package includes a time stamp from processor 171 using clock 27. The measurement package is stored in memory for later retrieval.

Processor 171 then performs a rough analysis to see if the associated measurement contains alcohol. The LED 16 will show a red or green light depending on the result of this rough analysis. In one embodiment, the microprocessor used in device 10 is not very powerful and therefore has limitations in the computations performed in the device. The device can be used to determine whether the exhalation contains no alcohol or contains an alcohol concentration that exceeds certain reference levels, such as those determined by actual local law (before further analysis by the terminal). You can do rough calculations that can be displayed to. Thus, the user will be able to make a primary decision according to direct instructions from the device. More accurate calculations may be performed at the more powerful terminal 20 based on logarithmic calculations.

The device 10 then returns to normal operation mode.

Data passing mode

The user then connects the measurement device 10 to the terminal 20 using the sound connector 14 and the sound port 110 of the terminal 20. In a preferred embodiment, the arrangement allows the terminal 20 to distinguish the measuring device 10 from a conventional headset. This function may be implemented by the device 10 by transmitting a "known" or predetermined identification sound signal from the sound connector 14. This identification sound signal is detected and confirmed by the terminal 20 and in communication with the device 10 for receiving measurement data in response. Conventional headsets do not generate a sound signal when connected to a terminal. Without this verification function, the communication sound signal generated by the application software, when activated at the terminal, will be delivered to the headset, creating an unpleasant situation for the user.

The terminal now receives measurement data associated with a plurality of exhalations recently performed according to the most recently performed measurement or a number of measurements performed by the user since the last connection. The arrangement may cause the measurement data to be deleted in the device 10 after the data transfer is complete.

Calculation at the terminal

When the terminal 20 (mobile phone) receives the measurement data or the package forms the device 10, the terminal calculates the correct alcohol concentration and displays the result to the user on the terminal display.

Describe the general principles of possible communication between a device and a terminal.

Plugins and Validation

When the device 10 is connected in the terminal 20, the application in the terminal detects whether the device 10 is connected. The terminal 20 initially checks whether the correct or "proprietary" measuring device is actually connected. This verification is performed by the terminal sending a "device ID" request. In response, the device 10 sends its ID to the terminal 20.

Data passing

The terminal will then send the request information to the number of measurement data stored in the device 10. The device 10 sends relevant information about the number of measurements. The terminal 20 then sends a request command to the device 10 to send all measurement data (including time stamp data).

Data package content

In a preferred embodiment of the communication protocol, one data package (sound delivery) is as follows:

A synchronization signal used to calibrate the data transfer rate.

Package length: information about the terminal in the expected amount of data.

-Actual data package containing: command (read or write), data information and CRK check.

.

master/ Slave

In the preferred embodiment, the terminal (mobile phone) is a master and starts all commands. The measuring device responds to the received command. When receiving a write command, the device sends an ACK signal to confirm that the master knows that the device 10 understood the command. Upon receiving a read command, the device 10 responds by passing the requested information.

Identification signal

In order to be able to distinguish the measuring device 10 from the conventional headset / microphone at the terminal 20, the device 10 may transmit a continuous tone sensed by an application at the terminal 20. The terminal may then determine that this is not a headset and begin the communication protocol described above. Without this arrangement, the user can hear sound communication from the application in the headset.

The terminal 20 may be equipped with additional communication means, such as Bluetooth and / or infrared (IR), the measuring device comprising such communication means, as described above for radio, IR and / or data exchange. The same analog communication can be used to communicate with the terminal. For example, terminal commands in the opposite direction may be sent through another channel, such as a Bluetooth channel, while data transfer may be performed through a sound port.

The various embodiments of the invention described herein are described in the general context of method steps or processes, which are embodied in a computer readable medium containing instructions for execution of a computer, such as program code executed by a computer in a network environment, It may be implemented in one embodiment by a computer program product. Computer-readable media includes, but is not limited to, removable and non-erasable storage devices including read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), and the like. Do not. Generally, program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Computer-implemented instructions, associated data structures, and program modules represent examples of program code for carrying out the steps of the methods described herein. The specific order of these implementation instructions or associated data structures represents examples of corresponding acts for implementing the functions described in such steps or processes.

Although not part of the claimed inventive concept, a sound port (eg, mobile phone, smartphone, tablet, notebook, or Etc. may be used to measure other physical quantities such as other gases, medical measurements, temperature, radiation, lighting, and the like. This more general aspect of analog signal principle or protocol between a separate measurement device and a terminal having a sound port may be the subject of a split application. In this implementation, the terminal may also be in other forms, such as a vehicle to which the device is connected. In this case, the terminal may be provided without any display.

10: measuring device 20: terminal
11 housing 12 exhalation inlet
14: sound connector 16: signal arrangement
15: gas sensor 19: rechargeable power
20: mobile terminal 23: sound device
110: sound port 121: pipe
130: data port 171: controller
172: input unit 173: output unit
174: memory unit 202: A / D converter
203: processor 204: I / O interface
205: memory unit 206: communication unit

Claims (15)

As the alcohol measuring device 10,
The alcohol measuring device 10 is connected to a terminal 20 such as a mobile phone in order to display the measurement data on the inlet 12, the gas sensor 15, and the display of the terminal for receiving user exhalation. A connector 14 for
The connector 14 is configured to be connected to the sound port 110 of the terminal 20, the alcohol measuring device 10, through the connector 14, the measurement data in the form of an analog signal representing the sound Alcohol measuring device arranged to deliver to the sound port (110) of the terminal (20). The method according to claim 1,
The alcohol measuring device 10 transmits measurement data to the terminal 20 through the sound port 110 and transmits data such as command data to the terminal 20 through the sound port 110. Alcohol measuring device arranged to receive from. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The terminal is an alcohol measuring device is a mobile device, such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
And a memory unit (174) for storing measurement data for later delivery to said terminal (20). The method of claim 4,
The measurement data stored in the memory unit (174) of the alcohol measurement device (10), and delivered to the terminal includes data from two or more breaths. The method of claim 4,
And a clock means (27) for providing time information associated with the measurement data stored in the alcohol measuring device (10), the time information being transmitted to the terminal (20) together with the measurement data. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
The alcohol measuring device 10 in use is initially configured to receive one or more user calls and to store relevant data in the memory unit without being connected to the terminal 20, and later stores the stored measurement data in the terminal ( Alcohol measuring device configured to be connected to the sound port (110) of the terminal (20) for delivery to. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
Alcohol measuring device further comprising a rechargeable power source. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The alcohol measuring device is configured to transmit information to the terminal 20 through the connector 14 and the sound port 110, the terminal 20, the sound port 110 is the alcohol measuring device 10 An alcohol measuring device that is connected to and determines that it is not connected to an existing headset / speaker / microphone. A terminal 20 provided with an alcohol measuring device 10 according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and a sound port 110 for receiving measurement data in the form of a signal representing analog sound from the alcohol measuring device 10. Alcohol measuring system comprising a). The method of claim 10,
The terminal is a alcohol measuring system is a mobile terminal, such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet provided with a display (120) for displaying a result to a user based on the measurement data received from the alcohol measuring device (10). The method of claim 11,
And the terminal is configured to provide information based on the location of the terminal. Alcohol measuring method for use in alcohol measurement,
Providing a measuring device providing a measuring device having a gas sensor;
Performing alcohol measurement using the measuring device;
A measurement data transfer step of passing corresponding measurement data in the form of an analog signal to the terminal via a sound port of the terminal; And
An information display step of presenting information on the display of the terminal based on the received measurement data. The method according to claim 13,
The alcohol measuring step is performed while the measurement device 10 is not connected to the terminal 20,
The alcohol measuring method,
Storing the measurement data in the measurement device 10; And
Connecting the measuring device 20 to the sound port 110 of the terminal 20,
The measuring data delivery step includes delivering the stored measurement data. The method according to claim 14,
The performing of the alcohol measurement includes performing two or more alcohol measurements at different points in time,
The alcohol measuring method may include storing data associated with a time point when performing the measurement; And transmitting corresponding time stamp information to the terminal 20 together with the measurement data.

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