JP2005184184A - Breath analyzer and its system using communication network - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a management system for inspecting whether a driver during mobile service is driving under the influence of liquor on the spot, immediately transmitting the result to the center by communication, and allowing a manager to grasp it for taking appropriate measures. <P>SOLUTION: A breath analyzer comprises a sensor for detecting alcohol vapor by blowing expiration, a sensor module for controlling the measurement of the sensor, and a control module for performing the information processing of a measurement value by the sensor. A driver is allowed to carry an analyzer for detecting driving under the influence of liquor that transmits the processed information by an electronic mail via a cellular phone, and the cellular phone. The inspection of respiration is pressed through the cellular phone or a PDA that the driver carries from the telephone of the management center during work. The driver transmits data measured by the analyzer of driving under the influence of liquid to the management center by an electronic mail via the cellular phone or the PDA. It is determined whether or not the driver is driving under the influence of liquid based on data added to the electronic mail received by a management personnel, and an instruction is given to the driver, or the like according to the determination result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention inputs the measurement result of the alcohol sensor into a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance) and transmits the data to the center using its e-mail function, so that the situation of the site from a remote location It belongs to the technical field related to means for grasping.

Conventionally, an alcohol sensor unit is commercially available, and is used before work at an office or the like. However, it is impossible to grasp the state of the driver who is driving, which is a mobile job, and it is impossible to inspect and manage the drunkness at the driving job site.
JP 2003-115902 A

  The present invention makes it possible to check on the spot whether the driver in a mobile job is drunk or not, send the result immediately to the center by communication, and the administrator can grasp and take appropriate measures. To provide a drunk detector and a detection system using communication.

  A small alcohol sensor that is easy to carry is required to perform a drunk test on site during transportation operations. In order for the administrator to grasp the inspection result, some communication means is necessary. Transportation company employees have cell phones for communication. This system uses this mobile phone as a communication means. In this case, the Internet electronic mail function added to the mobile phone is used. This is because an environment for using electronic mail on the Internet has already been prepared as an administrator-side network for receiving data.

  An alcohol sensor using the communication of the present invention made from this point of view includes a sensor for blowing alcohol to detect alcohol vapor, a circuit for controlling measurement of the sensor, and a circuit for processing information measured by the sensor And an output terminal connected to the input terminal of the mobile phone or PDA and outputting the processed information.

  An alcohol sensor using this communication is information processing software that converts the measured value when the sensor detects alcohol vapor into an alcohol concentration value by AD conversion, and converts the processed value into a mail format. Software that outputs to an external terminal, and is controlled by this software.

  A mobile phone or PDA to which a breath sensor using communication is connected is equipped with a camera that captures an image of breathing on the breath sensor when the breath is inspected, and acquires the image data. E-mail is sent via the mobile phone or PDA together with breath test data.

  A drunk detection system using communication according to the present invention has a drunk detector according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and a mobile phone or a PDA in a plurality of drivers, Prompts the driver to perform a breath test through a mobile phone or PDA possessed by the driver, measures the breath of the driver with the alcohol detector, and sends data measured by the e-mail via the mobile phone or PDA. It is characterized by transmitting to the management center.

  It is preferable that the alcohol sensor detects the data obtained by detecting the breath without e-mail transmission via the mobile phone or the PDA without delay, and cannot perform e-mail transmission of the breath test data in any other state.

  During the exhalation test, the inspector of the management center urges the exhaled breath sensor to blow on the sensor of the drunk sensor while communicating with the test subject through the mobile phone of the test subject, Judge whether or not. According to this configuration, it can be determined whether or not the exhalation is being blown correctly.

  It is desirable that the alcohol sensor is equipped with a flow meter, and if the flow meter does not detect a flow rate above a certain level during a breath test, it is preferably detected again as a measurement error. According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent measurement errors that occur when the amount of exhaled breath is small.

  At the time of detection of exhalation, it is preferable that an image is acquired by capturing a state in which exhalation is sprayed on the sensor of the alcohol sensor, and the image data is transmitted by e-mail together with the exhalation measurement data. According to this configuration, it can be confirmed that the driver himself blows.

  The inspection results of each vehicle driver collected at the center by e-mail are recorded and managed together with the position of the vehicle on a map in conjunction with the vehicle operation management system.

  Until now, the drunk test could only be performed at the company office where the administrator was located at the same time as the subject (driver). However, the small detector and mobile phone can be used anytime, anywhere to leave the company office. Can be inspected.

  Therefore, since the inspection can be carried out suddenly (unintentionally) even without the eyes of the manager, the effect of preventing and preventing drunk driving is greatly improved as compared with the conventional case.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a concept of use of an embodiment of the method and system for intoxication testing according to the present invention. This embodiment is an embodiment applied to a transportation company that manages transportation vehicles.

  The transportation company issues an instruction to measure the alcohol concentration by attaching the alcohol concentration detector 40 to the mobile phone 30 owned by the driver driving the transport vehicle, and the driver instructs the mobile phone 30 to alcohol according to this instruction. A concentration detector 40 is attached to measure the alcohol concentration. The measurement result is transmitted from the mobile phone 30 to the shipping company. Since the shipping company can grasp the driver's condition based on the received measurement result, the driver can prevent and prevent the driver's drunk driving.

  FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are block diagrams of an embodiment of the method and system for intoxication testing according to the present invention. The management center 11 of the transportation company 10 includes a computer 13 having a database of driver data such as a driver's mobile phone number, driver operation management data, driver measurement result data, and the like. The computer 13 is connected to a telecommunication network 50 such as the Internet, a fixed telephone network, and a mobile phone network, and is constructed so as to be able to send and receive electronic mail and mobile mail. A so-called PC (personal computer) or the like is used as the computer 13 body. Further, the management center 11 includes a telephone terminal 15 such as a mobile phone or a fixed phone that can make a voice call with a plurality of mobile phones 30 (301 to 30n) possessed by a plurality of drivers.

  A driver who drives each transport vehicle 20 (201 to 20n) has a mobile phone 30 (301 to 30n) assigned to him / her and an alcohol concentration detector 40 (401 to 40n) as a drunk detector. Get on the transport vehicle 20 (201-20n). During the transportation operation, the driver receives an instruction from the manager in charge using the mobile phone 30 and measures the alcohol concentration in the expiration using the alcohol concentration detector 40. The alcohol concentration detector 40 is connected to the external connection terminal 31 of the mobile phone 30 to communicate measurement data, the power switch 42 for turning on / off the power as an operation switch, and the measurement for starting the alcohol concentration measurement. A start button 43 and a measurement port 44 for blowing exhalation are provided.

  Further, as a status display means of the alcohol concentration detector 40, a power lamp 42a that lights when the power is turned on, a Ready lamp 43a that lights when the alcohol measurement is possible, and a measurement completion lamp 43b that lights when the measurement is completed. A measurement error lamp 43c that is turned on when measurement cannot be performed is provided. The alcohol concentration data measured by the mobile phone 30 is transmitted as an e-mail from the mobile phone 30 to the computer (PC) 13 of the management center 11 via the external connection terminals 41 and 31.

  The manager in charge uses the telephone terminal 15 or the PC 13 to perform voice communication or electronic mail communication with the driver's mobile phone 30 and gives a command to the driver to measure the breath by the alcohol concentration detector 40. Then, the person in charge of management confirms the state of the driver being measured through communication using the telephone terminal 15 and the mobile phone 30. After the measurement is completed, the PC 13 receives the measurement result transmitted from the mobile phone 30. The manager in charge determines whether or not he / she is drunk based on the measurement result received by the PC 13 and issues an instruction corresponding to the determination result to the driver or another person in charge.

  The usage mode of the method and system for testing the alcoholic spirit is as follows.

  (1) A person in charge of the management center 11 of the transportation company 10 issues a voice call or e-mail instruction to the driver of the transportation vehicle 20 to check the expiration on the cellular phone (or PDA) 30 of the driver.

  (2) The driver who has received the breath check instruction via the mobile phone 30 stops the transport vehicle 20 in a safe place, takes out the alcohol concentration detector 40, turns on the power, and connects the mobile phone or PDA externally. Plug it into the terminal (serial port). If the telephone line with the manager is disconnected when the alcohol concentration detector 40 is connected to the mobile phone 30, a voice call between the mobile phone 30 and the telephone terminal 15 is made by calling the management center 11. Connect the line.

  (3) When the Ready lamp 43a of the alcohol concentration detector 40 is turned on, the driver presses the measurement start button 43, and blows on the alcohol concentration detector 40 with the telephone connected. The manager of the management center 11 confirms that the person has blown with the sound on the spot. As a result, it can be confirmed that fraud has not been made. The alcohol concentration detector 40 measures the alcohol concentration in the exhaled breath. The measured alcohol concentration data is transmitted from the mobile phone 30 to the e-mail address registered in the PC 13 of the management center 11 as attached data or text of an e-mail.

  At this time, if the mobile phone 60 with a still image or video camera is used as the mobile phone, the state in which the breath is blown on the alcohol concentration detector 40 is also captured by the camera 63 and the image of the management center 11 is displayed. By displaying on the display of a possible telephone terminal, the state of blowing air is also observed, and it can be confirmed that fraud has not been made. FIG. 7 shows a conceptual diagram when a camera-equipped mobile phone is used. Note that the camera 63 of the camera-equipped mobile phone 60 according to this embodiment preferably has a configuration capable of capturing an image of the face or lips of the subject blowing the breath.

  (4) When the alcohol concentration measurement is completed, the alcohol concentration detector 40 turns on the measurement completion lamp 43b and automatically transmits the measurement data from the mobile phone 30 to the mailbox of the management center 11 by e-mail or the like.

  (5) The administrator of the management center 11 opens a mail from the mobile phone or the PDA detector on the PC 13, reads the measured value, and determines pass / fail. In another embodiment, a determination reference value is set for the software installed on the PC 13, and the pass / fail determination is automatically performed by the software. The received measurement data is preferably recorded and managed together with the position of the transport vehicle 20 on the map at the time of measurement in conjunction with the vehicle operation management system. By grasping the position of the transport vehicle 20, it is possible to easily grasp the operation state, and it is possible to quickly arrange a substitute driver, a vehicle, and the like.

  (6) The manager in charge of the management center 11 informs the subject (driver) of the result by voice phone call or reply mail according to the determination result of pass / fail, and gives necessary instructions. It is desired that the driver stops the transport vehicle 20 and waits until receiving this instruction.

  FIG. 4 shows the configuration of an embodiment of the alcohol concentration detector 40 and the mobile phone 30. The alcohol concentration detector 40 is turned on / off as an external connection terminal (serial connector) 41 detachably connectable to an external connection terminal (serial connector) 31 of the mobile phone 30 and a switch means operated by a user. A power switch 42 and a measurement start button 43 are provided. Further, a measurement port 44 through which a user blows exhalation is provided on the case surface of the alcohol concentration detector 40.

  In the alcohol concentration detector 40, a control module 45 for comprehensively controlling the entire operation and a sensor module 46 for measuring the alcohol concentration are incorporated. The control module 45 includes a sensor control program written in the built-in ROM, a mail transmission program, and a microcomputer that executes these programs. The control module 45 also has a power management function. The sensor module 46 includes a gas sensor facing the measurement port 44 and a gas signal detection circuit that controls the gas sensor to convert the alcohol concentration into an electrical signal and output the electrical signal. The analog signal output from the gas signal detection circuit is A / D converted by the control module 45 and used as breath measurement data.

  Further, the sensor module 46 is provided with an anemometer (wind speed / air volume / wind pressure sensor), and if the anemometer does not detect that the flow velocity at a constant speed or more has continued for a predetermined time, the control module 45 determines that the measurement has failed. It is desirable that the error lamp 43c is turned on to inform the driver that measurement has failed and that a function for prompting to blow again and re-measurement is provided.

  The alcohol concentration detector 40 operates as follows. When the power switch 42 is turned on, the control module 45 is activated by power from a built-in battery (not shown), activates the sensor module 46, and lights the power lamp 42a. When the activation of the sensor module 46 is completed, the control module 45 turns on the Ready lamp 43a to inform the user that measurement is possible. When the measurement start button 43 is turned ON while the Ready lamp 43a is lit, the control module 45 causes the sensor module 46 to start the measurement operation, inputs the measurement value from the sensor module 46, and converts the alcohol concentration into a numerical value. Exhalation measurement data is generated, the exhalation measurement data is converted into an e-mail format, for example, attached data or an e-mail body, and transferred to the mobile phone 30 via the external connection terminals 41 and 31. Thereafter, the control module 45 turns on the measurement completion lamp 43b.

  The mobile phone 30 receives data in the e-mail format from the control module 45 and transmits an e-mail to a preset e-mail address.

  Next, the operation method of the subject side, that is, the driver, in the drunk detection means and system of the present invention will be further described with reference to the explanatory diagram shown in FIG. In this explanatory diagram, the rectangular frame indicates the operation of the user, that is, the driver, the diamond frame indicates the determination in the alcohol concentration detector 40, and the processing in the alcohol concentration detector 40 is performed between each frame. Show.

  The driver turns on the power switch 42 of the detector 40 (S11). Then, the control module 45 is activated, the sensor module 46 is activated, and the power lamp 42a is turned on. Then, after waiting for the warm-up time, in this embodiment, 30 seconds, the Ready lamp 43a is turned on.

  The driver connects the external connection terminal 41 of the alcohol concentration detector 40 to the external connection terminal 31 of the mobile phone 30 (S13). This connection operation may be performed after the power switch 42 is turned on and before the Ready lamp 43a is turned on.

  When the Ready lamp 43a is lit, the driver presses the measurement start button 43 and blows on the measurement port 44. (S13). In the alcohol concentration detector 40, when the measurement start button 43 is turned ON, the control module 45 activates the sensor module 46 to start measurement.

  When the measurement is completed, the control module 45 checks whether a normal measurement value is obtained (S15). When a normal measurement value is not obtained, the control module 45 turns on the measurement error lamp 43c to prompt the driver to check again and waits for the measurement start button 43 to be pressed (S15; failure). .

  When a normal measurement value is obtained, the control module 45 turns off the Ready lamp 43a and turns on the measurement completion lamp 43b. Then, the breath measurement data is converted into an e-mail format, transferred to the mobile phone 30 via the external connection terminals 41 and 31, and the measurement completion lamp 43b is turned off.

  The driver knows that the measurement is completed when the measurement completion lamp 43b is turned on, and then knows that the mail transmission is completed when the measurement completion lamp 43b is turned off. Then, after confirming that the measurement completion lamp 43b is extinguished (the Ready lamp 43a and the measurement error lamp 43c are also extinguished), the driver removes the alcohol concentration detector 40 from the mobile phone 30 and removes the alcohol concentration detector 40. The power switch 42 is turned off. The control module 45 of the alcohol concentration detector 40 turns off the power lamp 42a to power down. Breath test data is managed by a timer that is timed by the program, and is stored in memory for a certain period of time (3 to 5 seconds), but after that, it is erased by the program and cannot be mailed. Designed and manufactured as follows. As a result, it is possible to prevent fraud that completes the inspection by transmitting illegal data that has been acquired before a certain time.

  Thereafter, the driver preferably waits until the determination result is received from the manager, and continues to operate after receiving notification from the manager that there is no problem. In the unlikely event that a manager finds a problem, he or she issues a predetermined instruction such as arranging a substitute driver. As described above, according to the liquor detection system of the present invention, since the person in charge of the transportation company can arbitrarily check the drinking state of the driver who is working, the effect of preventing and preventing the driver's drinking is enhanced.

It is a figure which shows embodiment of the utilization aspect of the drunk detection system in this invention. It is a block diagram of embodiment of the drunk detection system of this invention. It is a figure which shows the implementation mobile phone of the configuration of the drunk detection system of this invention. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of embodiment of the drunk detector of this invention. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of a structure of the drunk detector of this invention. It is a figure explaining the operation procedure by the test subject (driver | operator) side of the drunk detection system of this invention. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of embodiment suitable for fraud monitoring of the breath test by the mobile phone with a camera or PDA with a camera of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

11 Management Center 13 PC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Telephone terminal 20 Transport vehicle 30 Cellular phone 40 Alcohol concentration detector 41 External connection terminal 42 Power switch 43 Measurement start button 43a Ready lamp 43b Measurement completion lamp 43c Measurement error lamp 44 Measurement port 45 Control module 46 Sensor module

Claims (10)

A sensor for detecting alcohol vapor by blowing exhalation;
A circuit for controlling the measurement of the sensor;
A circuit for processing information measured by the sensor;
A drunk detector using communication, comprising an external connection terminal connected to an input terminal of a mobile phone or PDA and outputting the processed measurement value information. An alcohol sensor using communication according to claim 1, wherein the sensor detects information obtained by detecting alcohol vapor by AD conversion and converts it into an alcohol concentration value, and converts the alcohol concentration value into a mail format. And a software for outputting to an external connection terminal of a mobile phone or PDA. A mobile phone or PDA to which a breath sensor using communication according to claim 1 or 2 is connected is a camera that captures an image of breathing on a breath sensor when a breath is inspected. And a drunk detector using communication that transmits the image data together with breath measurement data via the mobile phone or PDA. The mobile phone or PDA to which the drunk detector using the communication according to claim 1 or 2 is connected uses communication capable of simultaneously imaging and transmitting the drunk detector and the lip portion of the subject located in the vicinity thereof. Alcohol detector. A driver is allowed to possess the drunk detector according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and a mobile phone or PDA,
During work, encourage the examination of breath from the management center phone through the mobile phone or PDA owned by the driver,
A drunk detection system using communication, wherein data obtained by detecting the breath of the driver by the drunk detector is transmitted to the management center by e-mail via a mobile phone or a PDA. 6. The drunk detection system using communication according to claim 5, wherein the drunk detector transmits breath measurement data via the mobile phone or the PDA without delay when an instruction from a management center is input. In the other conditions, the sensor module is a sensor for detecting a dampness using communication that cannot send e-mail of breath measurement data. 6. The system for detecting a staleness using communication according to claim 5, wherein a person in charge at the management center at the time of measuring the squeezed gas communicates with the subject via the subject's mobile phone, and the sensor of the staleness detector. A drunkenness detection system using communication that prompts the user to spray and determines whether the sound is normal by listening to the sprayed voice. 6. The system for detecting alcoholic beverages using communication according to claim 5, wherein the alcoholic beverage detector includes a flowmeter, and when the flowmeter does not detect a flow rate higher than a certain level during a breath test, it is redetected as a measurement error. Liquor detection system using communication. 6. The system according to claim 5, wherein when a breath is detected, an image is obtained by capturing an image of a subject blowing a breath on a sensor of the breath sensor, and the image data is stored in the breath. A drunkenness detection system using communication that sends emails together with measurement data. 10. The drunk detection system using communication according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the inspection results of each vehicle driver collected at the center by e-mail are linked with the vehicle operation management system, A drunkenness detection system characterized by being recorded and managed together with the position of the vehicle.

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