JP4323564B1 - Breath alcohol measuring device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an exhaled alcohol measuring device that makes it possible for a measurement subject to easily maintain a state where the pressure of exhaled air is appropriate than before.
An alcohol interlock system includes an alcohol fuel cell sensor for measuring an alcohol concentration in a driver's breath, an expiratory pressure sensor for measuring an expiratory pressure, and an expiratory pressure measured by the expiratory pressure sensor. A display unit that notifies by segment display; and a CPU that causes the alcohol fuel cell sensor to measure alcohol concentration when the expiratory pressure is within the appropriate expiratory pressure range. And the display unit is notified of exhalation pressure by classification (steps S266, S270, S274, S278).
[Selection] Figure 10

Description

  The present invention relates to a breath alcohol measuring device for measuring a concentration of alcohol in a breath of a measurement subject.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a breath alcohol measuring apparatus is known that measures the alcohol concentration in breath when the breath pressure of the measurement subject is appropriate (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Such a breath alcohol measuring device includes a device that measures the alcohol concentration in expired air only when the pressure of the breath of the measurement subject is appropriate in order to measure the accurate alcohol concentration.

JP 2004-212217 A

  It is not easy for humans to maintain a constant exhalation pressure. Therefore, the pressure of human exhalation is unstable. Therefore, in the above-described conventional apparatus for measuring exhaled alcohol, since it is not easy for the person to be measured to maintain a state in which the exhalation pressure is appropriate, measurement of the alcohol concentration in the exhalation may not be completed. There is a problem.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a breath alcohol measuring apparatus that makes it possible for a person to be measured to easily maintain a state in which the pressure of breath is appropriate than before.

The breath alcohol measuring apparatus of the present invention includes an alcohol measuring unit that measures an alcohol concentration in a breath of a measurement subject, an expiration pressure measuring unit that measures the pressure of the expiration, and the breath pressure measuring unit that is measured by the expiration pressure measuring unit. An expiratory pressure notification unit that notifies pressure by display , a measurement control unit that causes the alcohol measurement unit to measure the alcohol concentration when the pressure is within a predetermined range, and the range divided into a plurality of sections A notification control unit that notifies the expiratory pressure notification unit of the pressure by the classification , the expiratory pressure notification unit notifies the classification by at least 7-segment display, and is measured by the alcohol measurement unit The alcohol concentration is displayed by the 7-segment display .

With this configuration, the exhaled alcohol measuring device of the present invention can notify the exhalation pressure step by step when the exhalation pressure is within a predetermined range, and therefore maintains the exhalation pressure. The measurement subject can recognize which section the current exhalation pressure is. Therefore, the exhaled alcohol measuring device of the present invention can make the measurement subject who maintains the exhalation pressure recognize whether or not the current exhalation pressure is likely to be out of a predetermined range. Therefore, the exhaled alcohol measuring device of the present invention can make it easier for the person to be measured to maintain a state in which the exhalation pressure is appropriate than before. In addition, the breath alcohol measuring device of the present invention can display the breath pressure category and the measured alcohol concentration by the same 7-segment display, so that the configuration of the entire device can be simplified. .

  It is preferable that the expiration pressure notification unit of the breath alcohol measuring device of the present invention notifies the division by at least the number of digits of the 7-segment display.

  With this configuration, the exhaled alcohol measuring device of the present invention allows the subject to intuitively recognize the exhalation pressure category, so that the subject can easily maintain an appropriate exhalation pressure. Can be made.

  The exhaled alcohol measuring device of the present invention can make it easier for the person to be measured to maintain a state in which the exhalation pressure is appropriate than before.

1 is a perspective view of an alcohol interlock system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the alcohol interlock system shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the handy unit shown in FIG. It is a graph which shows the expiration pressure level displayed by the display part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the display part shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the display unit shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the camera unit shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control unit shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of operation | movement of the alcohol interlock system shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of the expiration pressure level notification process shown in FIG. It is a graph which shows the example of the time passage of the pressure of the air which was blown into the mouthpiece of the handy unit shown in FIG. 1, carbon dioxide gas concentration, temperature, and volume. FIG. 10 is a flowchart subsequent to the operation shown in FIG. 9 among the operations of the alcohol interlock system shown in FIG. 1.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, the configuration of an alcohol interlock system as an exhaled alcohol measuring device according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an alcohol interlock system 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the alcohol interlock system 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the alcohol interlock system 10 includes a handy unit 20 that is detachably attached to a left portion of the handle 102 in the front surface of the dashboard 101 of the vehicle 100, and an upper surface of the dashboard 101. Display unit 40 that is installed near the handle 102 and performs various displays, a camera unit 60 that is installed above the rearview mirror 103 of the vehicle 100 to photograph the driver, and a dashboard 101 A control unit 80 which is installed inside and controls the handy unit 20, the display unit 40 and the camera unit 60, a cable 11 which electrically connects the handy unit 20 and the control unit 80, and the display unit 40 and the control unit 80. Electric A cable 12 for connecting and the camera unit 60 and control unit 80 and a cable 13 for electrically connecting. The alcohol interlock system 10 is a system that does not allow the driver to drive the vehicle 100 when the driver is in a drinking state.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 80 includes an interlock relay 81 including a switch 81a and an electromagnet 81b for switching the connection state of the switch 81a. The switch 81a includes a terminal 81c and a terminal 81d.

  The vehicle 100 includes a battery 111, a cell motor 112 that is driven by the battery 111 to start the engine, a starter relay 113 that switches an electrical connection state between the battery 111 and the cell motor 112, and a battery that is turned by turning a key. 111 and a starter key switch 114 that switches an electrical connection state between the starter relay 113 and a vehicle speed pulse generator 115 that generates a vehicle speed pulse signal that represents the speed of the vehicle 100. The battery 111 includes a minus terminal 111a electrically connected to the ground and a plus terminal 111b. The cell motor 112 includes a terminal 112a that is electrically connected to the ground and the negative terminal 111a of the battery 111, and a terminal 112b. The starter relay 113 includes a switch 113a and an electromagnet 113b for switching the connection state of the switch 113a. The switch 113 a of the starter relay 113 includes a terminal 113 c electrically connected to the terminal 112 b of the cell motor 112 and a terminal 113 d electrically connected to the plus terminal 111 b of the battery 111. The electromagnet 113b of the starter relay 113 is electrically connected to the ground, the terminal 113e electrically connected to the negative terminal 111a of the battery 111 and the terminal 112a of the cell motor 112, and the terminal 81c of the switch 81a of the interlock relay 81. Terminal 113f. The starter key switch 114 turns on the terminal 114a electrically connected to the positive terminal 111b of the battery 111 and the terminal 113d of the starter relay 113, the OFF terminal 114b for turning off the engine of the vehicle 100, and the accessory power supply of the vehicle 100. An ACC terminal 114c for setting the state, an ON terminal 114d for turning on the ignition power source, and a START terminal 114e for starting the cell motor 112 are provided. The START terminal 114 e is electrically connected to the terminal 81 d of the interlock relay 81 of the control unit 80.

  The power of the battery 111 is supplied to the control unit 80, and is also supplied from the control unit 80 to the handy unit 20, the display unit 40, and the camera unit 60 through the cables 11, 12, and 13. In the following description, description of power supply is omitted.

  The handy unit 20 shown in FIG. 1 is a device for a driver to measure the alcohol concentration in exhaled breath before driving. As shown in FIG. 1, the handy unit 20 includes a case 21, a replaceable mouthpiece 23 provided on the top of the case 21, and a switch 25 provided on the front of the case 21 and pushed by the driver. The cable 11 is connected to the lower part of the case 21. The mouthpiece 23 is for injecting a driver's exhalation, and constitutes an exhalation injection unit.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the handy unit 20.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the handy unit 20 controls the external interface 29 electrically connected to the control unit 80 via the cable 11 (see FIG. 1) and the temperature of the breath of the driver who is the subject. An expiratory temperature sensor 31 for measuring, an expiratory pressure sensor 32 as an expiratory pressure measuring unit for measuring the expiratory pressure, an expiratory CO 2 sensor 33 for measuring the concentration of carbon dioxide in the expiratory air, An alcohol fuel cell sensor 34 as an alcohol measurement unit for measuring the alcohol concentration of the alcohol, an amplifier 35 for amplifying a signal output from the alcohol fuel cell sensor 34, and an intake for breathing into the alcohol fuel cell sensor 34 CPU (Central Processi) that controls each component of the suction pump 36 and the handy unit 20 g Unit) 38 and the casing 21 (with the inside of the see FIG.).

  The display unit 40 shown in FIG. 1 is a device that displays the alcohol concentration in the driver's breath and indicates the operation procedure by voice and display. As shown in FIG. 1, the display unit 40 is provided at the left end of the front surface of the case 41 and the case 41, and displays that the alcohol fuel cell sensor 34 (see FIG. 3) of the handy unit 20 is warming up. A WarmUP lamp 43 for right side of the case 41, a Blow lamp 44 provided to the right of the WarmUP lamp 43 in front of the case 41 to urge the driver to blow in, and a right side of the Blow lamp 44 in front of the case 41 And a wait lamp 45 for indicating that alcohol concentration is being measured by the alcohol fuel cell sensor 34, and a right lamp 45 in front of the case 41. The driver is in a drinking state. Provided on the right side of the OK lamp 46 for indicating that it was not determined and the OK lamp 46 in front of the case 41. An NG lamp 47 for indicating that the driver is determined to be in a drinking state, a 7-segment display display unit 48 provided on the right side of the NG lamp 47 on the front of the case 41 for displaying the alcohol concentration, and a case 41 is provided with a fingerprint reading unit 50 provided on the upper surface of 41 for reading the fingerprint of the right hand of the driver, and a speaker 52 provided on the upper surface of case 41 adjacent to the right of fingerprint reading unit 50. A cable 12 is connected to the back surface. The display unit 48 is configured to notify the driver's expiratory pressure level (hereinafter referred to as “expired air pressure level”) by display, and constitutes an expiratory air notification unit.

  FIG. 4 is a graph showing the expiratory pressure level displayed by the display unit 48. 4, the horizontal axis indicates the magnitude of the output voltage of the expiratory pressure sensor 32 (see FIG. 3) of the handy unit 20 (see FIG. 3), that is, the magnitude of the driver's expiratory pressure. Moreover, a black circle means that the value of the location is included, and a white circle means that the value of the location is not included.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the expiratory air pressure level is a range below an appropriate expiratory pressure range (hereinafter referred to as “appropriate expiratory air pressure range”) 350 for accurately measuring the alcohol concentration by the alcohol fuel cell sensor 34. 361 expiratory pressure level (hereinafter referred to as “lower inappropriate expiratory pressure level”), expiratory pressure level in range 362 above appropriate expiratory pressure range 350 (hereinafter referred to as “upper inappropriate expiratory pressure level”), The expiratory pressure level of the lowest section 371 obtained by dividing the appropriate expiratory pressure range 350 into four parts (hereinafter referred to as “first appropriate expiratory pressure level”) and the second section 372 from the bottom of the appropriate expiratory pressure range 350 divided into four parts. The expiratory air pressure level (hereinafter referred to as “second appropriate expiratory air pressure level”) and the expiratory air pressure level of the third division 373 from the bottom of the appropriate expiratory air pressure range 350 (hereinafter referred to as “third appropriate expiratory air pressure level”). I say.) And, and a proper uppermost segment 374 expiratory pressure levels which the expiratory pressure range 350 divided into four (hereinafter "fourth proper expiratory pressure level" hereinafter.) Of 6 steps. Here, the division 371 includes the lower limit value 350a of the limit values of the appropriate expiratory pressure range 350, and the division 374 includes the upper limit value 350b of the limit values of the appropriate expiratory pressure range 350. The section 373 does not include any of the lower limit value 350a and the upper limit value 350b that are the limit values of the appropriate expiratory pressure range 350.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the display unit 48.

  The display unit 48 displays, for example, a four-digit numerical value from “0.050” (see FIG. 5A) mg / L to “2.000” (see FIG. 5B) mg / L. Can be displayed. The display unit 48 displays the lower inappropriate expiratory pressure level as “L” (see FIG. 5C), and the first appropriate expiratory pressure level as “−” (FIG. 5 (FIG. 5). d), and the second appropriate expiratory pressure level is indicated by “−−” (see FIG. 5E) which is two horizontal lines, and the third appropriate expiratory pressure level is three horizontal lines. “−−−” (refer to FIG. 5 (f)), the fourth appropriate expiratory pressure level is displayed as “−−−−” (refer to FIG. 5 (g)), which is four horizontal lines, and the upper side. The improper expiratory pressure level is displayed as “H” (see FIG. 5H).

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the display unit 40 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the display unit 40 includes an external interface 54 electrically connected to the control unit 80 via the cable 12 (see FIG. 1), and images of thousands of fingerprints (hereinafter “ A fingerprint authentication module 55 that can be registered together with the registered fingerprint image and authenticates the fingerprint read by the fingerprint reading unit 50, and the sound output by the speaker 52 is generated. A sound scale LSI (Large Scale Integration) 57 and a CPU 58 for controlling each component of the display unit 40 are provided inside the case 41 (see FIG. 1).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the camera unit 60 includes a case 61 and a lens 63 provided in the center of the front of the case 61, and the cable 13 is connected to the case 61.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the camera unit 60.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the camera unit 60 is operated via an external interface 66 electrically connected to the control unit 80 via the cable 13 (see FIG. 1) and a lens 63 (see FIG. 1). CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor 67 for photographing a person, a built-in antenna 68 for receiving a GPS (Global Positioning System) radio wave for specifying a location, and a GPS for decoding the GPS radio wave received by the built-in antenna 68 A case 61 includes a receiving module 69, a memory 70 for temporarily recording image data until the image data captured by the CCD image sensor 67 is transferred to the control unit 80, and a CPU 71 for controlling each component of the camera unit 60. (Figure And provided inside of the reference.).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 80 includes a case 82 and an antenna 83 standing on the upper surface of the case 82, and cables 11 to 13 are connected to the rear surface of the case 82.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 80.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 80 includes an interlock relay 81, an external interface 85, an amplifier 86 electrically connected to the electromagnet 81 b of the interlock relay 81, and an antenna 83. A communication module 87 for performing wireless communication with the outside, a clock LSI 88 for measuring time, a lithium battery 89 that is a power source of the clock LSI 88, and an acceleration for measuring the acceleration of the vehicle 100 (see FIG. 1). The case 82 (see FIG. 1) includes an acceleration sensor 90, a LOG memory 94 that records various data such as history information of the determination result of the drinking level, and a CPU 95 that controls each component of the control unit 80. ing. The terminal 81c of the interlock relay 81 is electrically connected to the terminal 113f of the starter relay 113 (see FIG. 2) via a cable not shown in FIG. The terminal 81d of the interlock relay 81 is electrically connected to the START terminal 114e of the starter key switch 114 (see FIG. 2) via a cable not shown in FIG. The external interface 85 is electrically connected to the handy unit 20, the display unit 40, and the camera unit 60 via cables 11, 12, and 13 (see FIG. 1), and cables that are not shown in FIG. 1 are connected. The battery 111 is electrically connected to the negative terminal 111a and the positive terminal 111b of the battery 111 (see FIG. 2), the ACC terminal 114c of the starter key switch 114, and the vehicle speed pulse generator 115.

  Next, the operation of the alcohol interlock system 10 will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the operation of the alcohol interlock system 10.

  When the driver sits in the driver's seat of the vehicle 100 and presses the switch 25 of the handy unit 20, the CPU 95 of the control unit 80 detects that the switch 25 has been pressed and starts the operation shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9, first, the CPU 95 determines whether or not the speed of the vehicle 100 is greater than 0 based on the output from the vehicle speed pulse generator 115 of the vehicle 100 (step S202). If the CPU 95 determines that the speed of the vehicle 100 is greater than 0 in step S202, the CPU 95 outputs the sound from the speaker 52 of the display unit 40 so as to repeat the operation after stopping the vehicle 100 (step S204). The current time, the current position based on the GPS information from the camera unit 60, and the fact that the speed of the vehicle 100 is greater than 0 are recorded in the LOG memory 94, and then a series of processing ends.

  When CPU 95 determines that the speed of vehicle 100 is zero in step S202, CPU 95 determines whether or not the acceleration of vehicle 100 is greater than zero based on the output from acceleration sensor 90 (step S206). If the CPU 95 determines that the acceleration of the vehicle 100 is greater than 0 in step S206, the CPU 95 outputs the sound from the speaker 52 of the display unit 40 so as to repeat the operation after stopping the vehicle 100 (step S204). The current time, the current position based on the GPS information from the camera unit 60, and the fact that the acceleration of the vehicle 100 is greater than 0 are recorded in the LOG memory 94, and then a series of processing ends.

  Note that whether or not the vehicle 100 is moving can also be determined based on information other than the speed and acceleration of the vehicle 100. For example, when the vehicle 100 is moving, it is determined that the vehicle 100 is moving when the voltage of the battery 111 is equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage using the fact that the voltage is increased by generating and charging the battery 111. You can also. It can also be determined whether or not the vehicle 100 is moving based on a change in the current position based on GPS information from the camera unit 60.

  If the CPU 95 determines in step S206 that the acceleration of the vehicle 100 is zero, the CPU 95 causes the fingerprint authentication module 55 of the display unit 40 to perform fingerprint authentication. The fingerprint authentication module 55 performs authentication based on the fingerprint image registered in advance in itself and the driver's fingerprint image read from the fingerprint reading unit 50 of the display unit 40, and the authentication is successful. The registrant ID corresponding to the driver's fingerprint image read from the fingerprint reading unit 50 is transmitted to the CPU 95, and if the authentication fails, the registrant ID indicating the authentication failure, eg, No. 9999 is transmitted to the CPU 95. When the registrant ID is transmitted from the fingerprint authentication module 55, the CPU 95 determines whether the authentication is successful based on the registrant ID transmitted from the fingerprint authentication module 55 (step S208). The CPU 95 records the registrant ID transmitted from the fingerprint authentication module 55, the current time obtained from the clock LSI 88, and the current position based on the GPS information from the camera unit 60 in the LOG memory 94.

  If the CPU 95 determines that the authentication has failed in step S208, the CPU 95 outputs a voice indicating that the authentication has failed from the speaker 52 (step S210), and ends the series of processes.

  When the CPU 95 determines that the authentication is successful in step S208, the CPU 95 starts warming up the alcohol fuel cell sensor 34 of the handy unit 20, turns on the WarmUP lamp 43 of the display unit 40, and outputs sound from the speaker 52. To notify that the alcohol fuel cell sensor 34 is warming up (step S212). Here, the warm-up of the alcohol fuel cell sensor 34 means that the alcohol fuel cell sensor 34 is heated by the heater circuit inside the alcohol fuel cell sensor 34 even if the ambient temperature is as low as −45 ° C., for example. The operation is to maintain uniform measurement performance by raising the temperature inside the alcohol fuel cell sensor 34 to a constant 33 ° C. Then, the CPU 95 waits until the warm-up is completed (step S214).

  When the CPU 95 determines that the warm-up has been completed in step S214, the CPU 95 starts measuring time based on the output value of the clock LSI 88, and turns on the blow lamp 44 of the display unit 40 and outputs sound from the speaker 52. This prompts the driver to breathe in (step S216).

  Next, the CPU 95 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed during the measurement (step S218). If the CPU 95 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed in step S218, the CPU 95 outputs a sound indicating that the predetermined time has elapsed from the speaker 52 (step S220). In step S208, the fingerprint is printed. LOG indicating that the registrant ID transmitted from the authentication module 55, the current time obtained from the clock LSI 88, the current position based on the GPS information from the camera unit 60, and that a predetermined time has elapsed. Recording in the memory 94 ends the series of processing.

  If the CPU 95 determines in step S218 that the time being measured has not passed the predetermined time, the display unit 48 of the display unit 40 indicates the level of the exhalation pressure blown from the mouthpiece 23 of the handy unit 20 by the driver. Is displayed (step S221), and it is determined based on the measured value of the expiratory pressure sensor 32 whether or not the expiratory pressure is within the appropriate expiratory pressure range 350 (see FIG. 4) (step S222). The reason why the exhalation pressure is determined is that the alcohol concentration cannot be measured accurately unless exhalation at a certain level of appropriate pressure is performed. If the CPU 95 determines in step S222 that the expiratory pressure is not within the proper expiratory pressure range 350, the CPU 95 returns to step S218.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the expiratory pressure level notification process (step S221) shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the CPU 95 of the control unit 80 determines whether or not the expiratory pressure is smaller than the lower limit 350a (see FIG. 4) of the appropriate expiratory pressure range 350 (see FIG. 4) (step S260). ). If the CPU 95 determines in S260 that the expiratory pressure is smaller than the lower limit 350a of the appropriate expiratory pressure range 350, the CPU 95 displays “L” (see FIG. 5C) on the display unit 48 of the display unit 40 (step 5). S262), the expiratory pressure level notification process is terminated.

  If the CPU 95 determines in S260 that the expiratory pressure is equal to or higher than the lower limit 350a of the appropriate expiratory pressure range 350, the expiratory pressure is less than or equal to the upper limit 371a (see FIG. 4) of the first appropriate expiratory pressure level. Is determined (step S264). If the CPU 95 determines in S264 that the expiratory pressure is equal to or lower than the upper limit value 371a of the first appropriate expiratory pressure level, “-” (see FIG. 5D) is displayed on the display unit 48 of the display unit 40. (Step S266), the expiratory pressure level notification process is terminated.

  If the CPU 95 determines in S264 that the expiratory pressure is greater than the upper limit value 371a of the first appropriate expiratory pressure level, whether or not the expiratory pressure is equal to or lower than the upper limit value 372a (see FIG. 4) of the second appropriate expiratory pressure level. Is determined (step S268). When the CPU 95 determines in S268 that the expiratory pressure is equal to or lower than the upper limit value 372a of the second appropriate expiratory pressure level, “-” (see FIG. 5E) is displayed on the display unit 48 of the display unit 40. (Step S270), the expiratory pressure level notification process is terminated.

  If the CPU 95 determines in S268 that the expiratory pressure is greater than the upper limit value 372a of the second appropriate expiratory pressure level, whether or not the expiratory pressure is equal to or lower than the upper limit value 373a (see FIG. 4) of the third appropriate expiratory pressure level. Is determined (step S272). If the CPU 95 determines in S272 that the expiratory pressure is equal to or lower than the upper limit value 373a of the third appropriate expiratory pressure level, “---” (see FIG. 5F) is displayed on the display unit 48 of the display unit 40. (Step S274), and the expiratory pressure level notification process ends.

  If the CPU 95 determines in S272 that the expiratory pressure is greater than the upper limit value 373a of the third appropriate expiratory pressure level, whether or not the expiratory pressure is equal to or lower than the upper limit value 350b (see FIG. 4) of the appropriate expiratory pressure range 350. Is determined (step S276). When the CPU 95 determines in S276 that the expiratory pressure is not more than the upper limit 350b of the appropriate expiratory pressure range 350, “----” (see FIG. 5G) is displayed on the display unit 48 of the display unit 40. (Step S278), and the expiratory pressure level notification process ends.

  If the CPU 95 determines in S276 that the expiratory pressure is greater than the upper limit 350b of the appropriate expiratory pressure range 350, the CPU 95 displays “H” (see FIG. 5H) on the display unit 48 of the display unit 40 (step h). S280), the expiratory pressure level notification process is terminated.

  That is, the CPU 95 displays “L” on the display unit 48 when the expiratory pressure is lower than the lower limit 350a of the appropriate expiratory pressure range 350, and the expiratory pressure is the first appropriate expiratory pressure level. Sometimes “-” is displayed on the display unit 48, and “-” is displayed on the display unit 48 when the expiratory pressure is at the second proper expiratory pressure level, and the expiratory pressure is at the third proper expiratory pressure level. “---” is displayed on the display unit 48 at a certain time, “----” is displayed on the display unit 48 when the expiratory pressure is at the fourth proper expiratory pressure level, and the expiratory pressure is When the expiratory pressure level is higher than the upper limit 350b of the atmospheric pressure range 350, “H” is displayed on the display unit 48. As described above, the CPU 95 divides the appropriate expiratory pressure range 350 into the sections 371 to 374 (see FIG. 4), and notifies the display unit 48 of the expiratory pressure in the proper expiratory pressure range 350 by the sections 371 to 374. The notification control unit is configured.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the CPU 95 of the control unit 80 determines in step S222 that the expiratory pressure is within the proper expiratory pressure range 350, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the expiratory air that is blown from the mouthpiece 23 by the driver. Is determined based on the measured value of the exhaled CO2 sensor 33 (step S224). The reason why the concentration of carbon dioxide in the exhalation is determined is to prevent fraud in which it is determined that the alcoholic state is not determined by blowing air that does not contain alcohol into the mouthpiece 23 by inflating. Human breath contains more carbon dioxide than air. If the CPU 95 determines in step S224 that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the exhalation is not equal to or higher than the predetermined concentration, the registrant ID transmitted from the fingerprint authentication module 55 in step S208, the current time obtained from the clock LSI 88, the camera After recording in the LOG memory 94 that the current position based on the GPS information from the unit 60 and that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the exhalation is not higher than a predetermined concentration, the process returns to step S218.

  If the CPU 95 determines in step S224 that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the exhalation is equal to or higher than the predetermined concentration, the temperature of the exhaled air blown from the mouthpiece 23 by the driver is within a predetermined temperature range centered on 34 ° C. Is determined based on the measured value of the expiration temperature sensor 31 (step S226). The reason why the temperature of exhalation is determined is to prevent fraud in which air that does not contain alcohol is blown into the mouthpiece 23 by inflating or the like so that it is not determined to be a drinking state. The air blown in by inflating the air converges on the temperature of the air around the handy unit 20, whereas the human breath is stable depending on the human body temperature, so the air around the handy unit 20 is stable. Regardless of the temperature, it always converges to around 34 ° C. If the CPU 95 determines in step S226 that the expiration temperature is not within the predetermined temperature range centered on 34 ° C., the registrant ID transmitted from the fingerprint authentication module 55 in step S208 and the present time obtained from the clock LSI 88 are displayed. After recording the time, the current position based on the GPS information from the camera unit 60, and the expiration temperature not within a predetermined temperature range centered on 34 ° C., the process returns to step S218. .

  If the CPU 95 determines in step S226 that the expiration temperature is within a predetermined temperature range centered on 34 ° C., the volume of air blown from the mouthpiece 23 by the driver is a predetermined volume, for example, 1.0 L. Whether or not this is the case is determined based on the time measured by the clock LSI 88 and the measured value of the expiratory pressure sensor 32 (step S228). The reason why the volume of the blown air is determined is that if the alcohol concentration is measured when the volume of the blown air is small, the alcohol concentration of fresh air just entered the mouth may be measured. This is because a certain volume of air needs to be blown in order to measure the exhaled air, ie the alcohol concentration of the air that has entered the lungs. If the CPU 95 determines in step S228 that the volume of the blown air is not equal to or greater than the predetermined volume, the process returns to step S218.

  FIG. 11 is a graph showing an example of the passage of time of the pressure, carbon dioxide concentration, temperature, and volume of the air blown into the mouthpiece 23 of the handy unit 20 shown in FIG. 11, the vertical axis represents the magnitude of the output voltage of the expiration temperature sensor 31 (see FIG. 3), the expiration pressure sensor 32 (see FIG. 3) and the expiration CO2 sensor 33 (see FIG. 3) of the handy unit 20. I.e., the driver's exhalation temperature, exhalation pressure, and the concentration of carbon dioxide in the exhalation. The horizontal axis indicates the elapsed time. The processing from step S218 to step S228 described above will be specifically described using the example of FIG.

  In FIG. 11, when the time tx being measured is before the time 311, the CPU 95 of the control unit 80 determines that the time tx being measured has not passed the predetermined time 300 a (step S 218). Since the expiratory pressure 301 blown from the piece 23 is outside the proper expiratory pressure range 350 (step S222), the process proceeds from step S218 to step S222 via step S221 and then returns to step S218 again.

  Next, when the time tx being measured is after the time 311 and before the time 312, the CPU 95 determines that the time tx being measured has not passed the predetermined time 300 a (step S 218), and the driver The expiratory pressure 301 blown from the mouthpiece 23 is within the appropriate expiratory pressure range 350 (step S222), and the concentration 302 of carbon dioxide in the exhaled breath expelled from the mouthpiece 23 by the driver is less than a predetermined concentration 302a. Therefore (step S224), after proceeding from step S218 to step S224 via steps S221 and S222, the process of returning to step S218 again is repeated.

  Next, when the time tx being measured is after the time 312 and before the time 313, the CPU 95 determines that the time tx being measured has not passed the predetermined time 300a (step S218). The expiratory pressure 301 blown from the mouthpiece 23 is within the proper expiratory pressure range 350 (step S222), and the concentration 302 of carbon dioxide in the exhaled breath blown from the mouthpiece 23 by the driver is equal to or higher than a predetermined concentration 302a. (Step S224), and the expiratory temperature 303 blown from the mouthpiece 23 by the driver is outside the predetermined temperature range 303a centered on 34 ° C. (step S226), and therefore, from step S218 to step S221, step After proceeding to step S226 via S222 and step S224, step again It repeats the process of returning to S218.

  Next, when the time tx being measured is after the time 313 and before the time 314, the CPU 95 determines that the time tx being measured has not passed the predetermined time 300a (step S218). The expiratory pressure 301 blown from the mouthpiece 23 is within the proper expiratory pressure range 350 (step S222), and the concentration 302 of carbon dioxide in the exhaled breath blown from the mouthpiece 23 by the driver is equal to or higher than a predetermined concentration 302a. (Step S224), the expiratory temperature 303 blown from the mouthpiece 23 by the driver is within a predetermined temperature range 303a centered on 34 ° C. (step S226), and the driver blows from the mouthpiece 23 Since the volume 304 of the air that has been separated (the area indicated by hatching in FIG. 11) is less than the predetermined volume Step S228), step S221 from step S218, step S222, after proceeding to step S228 via step S224 and step S226, and repeats the processing that returns to the step S218.

  Next, when the time tx being measured reaches the time 314, the CPU 95 does not pass the predetermined time 300a (step S218), and the driver breathes in from the mouthpiece 23. The pressure 301 is within the appropriate expiratory pressure range 350 (step S222), the concentration 302 of carbon dioxide in the expired air blown from the mouthpiece 23 by the driver is equal to or higher than the predetermined concentration 302a (step S224), and the driver The expiratory temperature 303 blown from the mouthpiece 23 is within a predetermined temperature range 303a centered on 34 ° C. (step S226), and the volume 304 of air blown from the mouthpiece 23 by the driver is predetermined. Since it is more than the volume (step S228), step S218 to step S221, step S2 2, after traveling to step S228 via step S224 and step S226, the process proceeds from step S228 to the next step.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart subsequent to the operation shown in FIG. 9 among the operations of the alcohol interlock system 10.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the CPU 95 of the control unit 80 transfers a shutter command to the camera unit 60 when determining in step S228 (see FIG. 9) that the volume of the blown air is greater than or equal to a predetermined volume. Thus, the driver is photographed by the CCD image sensor 67 (step S230). Therefore, an image of the driver who is blowing exhalation from the mouthpiece 23 of the handy unit 20 is recorded in the memory 70 of the camera unit 60.

  Next, the CPU 95 starts the measurement of the alcohol concentration by the alcohol fuel cell sensor 34 by driving the suction pump 36 of the handy unit 20 to introduce exhalation into the alcohol fuel cell sensor 34 (step S232), and the display. It is notified that the alcohol fuel cell sensor 34 is measuring the alcohol concentration based on the lighting of the wait lamp 45 of the unit 40 and the sound output from the speaker 52 (step S234). Thus, the CPU 95 causes the alcohol fuel cell sensor 34 to measure the alcohol concentration when the expiration pressure is within a predetermined range, that is, within the appropriate expiration pressure range 350 (see FIG. 4) (step S222). And constitutes a measurement control unit.

  When the measurement started in step S232 is completed, the CPU 95 is based on the registrant ID transmitted from the fingerprint authentication module 55 in step S208, the current time obtained from the clock LSI 88, and the GPS information from the camera unit 60. The current position, the measured alcohol concentration, and the image taken in step S230 and recorded in the memory 70 of the camera unit 60 are recorded in the LOG memory 94 (step S236), and the measured alcohol concentration is displayed on the display unit. The notification is made by the display on the display unit 48 (step S238). Next, the CPU 95 determines whether or not the measured alcohol concentration is equal to or lower than a predetermined reference value (step S240).

  If the CPU 95 determines that the alcohol concentration exceeds the predetermined reference value in step S240, the CPU 95 determines that the alcohol is in a drunk state and cannot start the engine, from the lighting of the NG lamp 47 of the display unit 40 and the speaker 52. (Step S242), and a series of processing is terminated.

  When the CPU 95 determines that the alcohol concentration is equal to or lower than the predetermined reference value in step S240, the CPU 95 supplies power to the electromagnet 81b of the interlock relay 81 via the amplifier 86 and closes the switch 81a (step S244). The fact that the engine can be started because it has not been determined is notified by the lighting of the OK lamp 46 of the display unit 40 and the sound output from the speaker 52 (step S246), and the series of processing ends. Note that the CPU 95 opens the switch 81a after 5 minutes have passed since the switch 81a was closed in step S244. Accordingly, the driver can start the engine of the vehicle 100 by turning the key of the starter key switch 114 within 5 minutes to electrically connect the terminal 114a and the START terminal 114e. That is, when the terminal 114 a of the starter key switch 114 and the START terminal 114 e are electrically connected, the starter relay 113 of the starter key 113 is connected via the switch 81 a of the interlock relay 81 of the control unit 80 and the starter key switch 114. The electric power of the battery 111 is supplied to the electromagnet 113b and the switch 113a is closed, whereby the electric power of the battery 111 is supplied to the cell motor 112 via the switch 113a of the starter relay 113, and the engine of the vehicle 100 is started.

  The various information recorded in the LOG memory 94 can be used for various purposes later. For example, the determination result of the drinking level recorded in the LOG memory 94 is regularly used for monitoring at the police station in charge in the case of drunk driving addicts, or periodically in the case of business use. Can be used for monitoring.

  Various information recorded in the LOG memory 94 may be transmitted to the outside by the antenna 83 and the communication module 87 of the control unit 80. For example, the determination result of drinking status is sent to the mail server of the police station in charge in real time for drunk driving addicts, or sent to the mail server of the administration headquarters in real time for business use. be able to. Of course, various information recorded in the LOG memory 94 may be read from the outside via the antenna 83 and the communication module 87 of the control unit 80.

  Moreover, although the alcohol interlock system 10 inputs a registrant ID by fingerprint authentication, it may be input by other methods. For example, the registrant ID may be input by a magnetic card or an IC (Integrated Circuit) card.

  As described above, the alcohol interlock system 10 determines the expiratory pressure according to the sections 371 to 374 (refer to FIG. 4) when the expiratory pressure is within the proper expiratory pressure range 350 (refer to FIG. 4). Therefore, the driver who maintains the exhalation pressure can recognize which section the current exhalation pressure is. Therefore, the alcohol interlock system 10 allows the driver who maintains the exhalation pressure to recognize whether or not the current exhalation pressure is likely to be out of the proper exhalation pressure range 350. Therefore, the alcohol interlock system 10 allows the driver to easily maintain a state where the pressure of exhalation is appropriate than before.

  In the alcohol interlock system 10, the display unit 48 of the display unit 40 is disposed at a position where the display of the pressure can be visually recognized by the driver who is injecting exhalation into the mouthpiece 23 of the handy unit 20. The driver who maintains the expiratory pressure can visually recognize whether or not the current expiratory pressure is likely to be outside the proper expiratory pressure range 350.

  In the alcohol interlock system 10, the mouthpiece 23 for injecting the driver's exhalation and the display unit 48 for displaying the exhalation pressure are provided in separate units. The display unit 48 is arranged at a position where the pressure can be visually recognized by the driver who is injecting the gas. However, the alcohol interlock system 10 has the mouthpiece 23 and the display unit provided that the display unit 48 is disposed at a position where the display of pressure can be visually recognized by the driver who is injecting exhalation into the mouthpiece 23. 48 may be provided in the same unit.

  Since the alcohol interlock system 10 can display the exhalation pressure sections 371 to 374 and the measured alcohol concentration by the same 7-segment display, the configuration of the entire apparatus can be simplified.

  In addition, the alcohol interlock system 10 may be configured to include a 7-segment display that displays the exhalation pressure categories 371 to 374 and a 7-segment display that displays the measured alcohol concentration.

  Since the alcohol interlock system 10 displays the expiratory pressure sections 371 to 374 by the number of digits in the 7-segment display, the expiratory pressure sections 371 to 374 can be intuitively recognized by the measurement subject. . Therefore, the alcohol interlock system 10 can easily cause the subject to maintain a state in which the exhalation pressure is appropriate.

  Since the display unit 48 of the display unit 40 is a four-digit seven-segment display in the present embodiment, the expiratory pressure within the appropriate expiratory pressure range 350 is divided by the sections 371 to 374 obtained by dividing the appropriate expiratory pressure range 350 into four. However, even when the number of digits in the 7-segment display is other than 4 digits, the number classification according to the number of digits can be notified. For example, if the display unit 48 of the display unit 40 is a 6-digit 7-segment display, it can notify the expiratory pressure within the appropriate expiratory pressure range 350 by dividing the appropriate expiratory pressure range 350 into six parts, In the case of 8-digit 7-segment display, the expiratory pressure within the appropriate expiratory pressure range 350 can be notified by dividing the appropriate expiratory pressure range 350 into 8 sections, and in the case of N-digit 7-segment display The expiratory pressure within the appropriate expiratory pressure range 350 can be notified by the division of the appropriate expiratory pressure range 350 into N parts.

  The alcohol interlock system 10 corresponds to the division 372 (see FIG. 4) that does not include the lower limit 350a (see FIG. 4) and the upper limit 350b (see FIG. 4) which are the limit values of the appropriate expiratory pressure range 350. Since the second appropriate expiratory pressure level can be made the target of the expiratory pressure by the driver, even if the expiratory pressure of the driver deviates from the section, first, the second corresponding to the section 371 (see FIG. 4). It can be prevented that the first expiratory pressure level or the third proper expiratory pressure level corresponding to the section 373 (see FIG. 4) is reached, and the proper expiratory pressure range 350 is not immediately deviated. Similarly, the alcohol interlock system 10 sets the third appropriate expiratory pressure level corresponding to the section 373 that does not include the lower limit value 350a and the upper limit value 350b, which are the limit values of the appropriate expiratory pressure range 350, to the driver as an expiratory pressure target. Therefore, even if the expiratory pressure of the driver deviates from the category, first, the second proper expiratory pressure level corresponding to the segment 372 or the fourth proper call corresponding to the segment 374 (see FIG. 4). It can be prevented that the pressure level is reached and the proper expiratory pressure range 350 is not immediately deviated. Therefore, the alcohol interlock system 10 can easily allow the driver to maintain a state in which the exhalation pressure is appropriate.

  In addition, although the breath alcohol measuring apparatus of this invention is comprised as the alcohol interlock system 10 in this Embodiment, you may be comprised by apparatuses other than an alcohol interlock system. For example, the breath alcohol measuring device of the present invention may be installed in a public transportation office as a device for a public transportation company to inspect the state of drinking before boarding a crew member.

  In addition, the expiratory pressure notification unit of the present invention displays the expiratory pressure categories 371 to 374 (see FIG. 4) in a seven-segment display by the method shown in FIGS. 5D to 5G in the present embodiment. Although displayed, the expiratory pressure sections 371 to 374 may be displayed in a 7-segment display by a method other than the method shown in FIGS. 5 (d) to 5 (g). For example, the expiratory pressure notification unit of the present invention may display the expiratory pressure classifications 371 to 374 with numerals “1”, “2”, “3”, and “4” in a 7-segment display. .

  In addition, the expiratory pressure notification unit of the present invention is configured as the display unit 48 of 7-segment display in the present embodiment, but may be configured of a device that performs display other than 7-segment display. For example, the expiratory pressure notification unit of the present invention may be configured by a computer display.

  The expiratory pressure notification unit of the present invention uses display as a method of notifying the expiratory pressure categories 371 to 374 in the present embodiment. For example, the level of sound is changed for each of the categories 371 to 374. Thus, the sections 371 to 374 may be notified by sound, or the sections 371 to 374 may be notified by a combination of sound and display.

10 Alcohol interlock system (exhaled alcohol measuring device)
23 mouthpiece (exhalation injection part)
32 Expiratory pressure sensor (expiratory pressure measuring unit)
34 Alcohol fuel cell sensor (alcohol measuring unit)
48 Display (Exhalation pressure notification part)
95 CPU (measurement control unit, notification control unit)
350 Appropriate expiratory pressure range (predetermined range)
350a Lower limit (limit value)
350b Upper limit (limit value)
371-374 Classification

Claims (3)

An alcohol measurement unit that measures the alcohol concentration in the exhalation of the person to be measured, an expiration pressure measurement unit that measures the pressure of the expiration, and an expiration pressure notification unit that notifies the pressure measured by the expiration pressure measurement unit by display A measurement control unit that causes the alcohol measurement unit to measure the alcohol concentration when the pressure is within a predetermined range; and the division of the range into a plurality of divisions and the pressure to the expiratory pressure notification unit And a notification control unit to be notified by ,
The exhalation-pressure notification unit notifies the classification by at least 7-segment display, and displays the alcohol concentration measured by the alcohol measurement unit by the 7-segment display . The breath alcohol measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the expiration pressure notification unit notifies the division by at least the number of digits of the 7-segment display . The expiration alcohol measuring apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the expiration pressure notification unit notifies the division also by sound .

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