JP5303851B2 - Alcohol detection device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lightweight, small-size and inexpensive drinking detector preventing drunk driving not merely by the measurement of a blood-alcohol concentration but effectively and surely preventing the drunk driving by considering internal substances inducing acetaldehyde and fatigue. <P>SOLUTION: This drinking detector is provided with: a bioinformation acquisition section 4 for acquiring bioinformation of a subject as authentication object information; a measurement section 1 operatively connected with the operation of the bioinformation acquisition section 4, selectively measuring infrared spectroscopic absorptive power of a part of the subject's body on a specific wavelength, and acquiring examination object information; an information storage section 8 for storing registered bioinformation and a reference absorptive power; an authentication section 10 comparing the registered bioinformation with the authentication object information and authenticating the subject as a specific driver; and a determination section 10 comparing the reference absorptive power with the examination object information in the specific wavelength and determining the drinking state of the specific driver. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for detecting a drinking state, and more particularly to a small, light, and low-priced drinking detection device that can be mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle.

  Operation of mobile objects such as automobiles, railroads, ships and aircraft due to drinking is prohibited by laws and ministerial ordinances related to each. In fact, in recent years, dangerous driving due to drinking has been performed, and many serious accidents have occurred, and management of drinking and the degree of alcohol consumption before the operation of the mobile body has been questioned.

If the presence or absence of drinking can be detected before and during operation of the mobile body, accidents due to drinking can be prevented. As such a countermeasure, there is an alcohol component detection device that physically detects the alcohol concentration contained in the expiration of the driver to prevent drunk driving (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the measurement by exhalation, a mouthpiece is necessary so that the alcohol concentration in the exhalation can be accurately caught. However, in order to prevent infections through the oral mucosa, it is necessary to prepare a personalized one and disinfect each measurement.
JP 2004-245800 A

  However, detection of only alcohol as described in Patent Document 1 has individual differences, and may not prevent appropriate drunk driving. Furthermore, when the acetaldehyde level and the feeling of fatigue remain with respect to the driver's alcohol level, there is a problem that the alcohol concentration tends to decrease with the alcohol metabolism and the appropriate alcohol level cannot be determined.

  On the other hand, in order to detect acetaldehyde or a substance in the body that induces fatigue, an expensive and large-sized device such as FT-IR (Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer) is required, and a simple device mounted on a moving body or the like. Lacks eligibility as

  Accidents caused by drinking are not limited to automobiles, and the same applies to various mobile objects such as ships and aircraft.

  The present invention not only prevents drunk driving by simply measuring blood alcohol concentration, but can also take into account acetaldehyde and internal substances that induce fatigue, making drunk driving more efficient and reliable. It is an object of the present invention to provide a drinking detection device that can prevent the above-described problem and is lightweight, small and inexpensive.

Aspects of the present invention include: (a) a plurality of infrared spectral absorbances of a part of a subject's body including a wavelength inherent to lactic acid whose concentration in a subject's blood changes in relation to alcohol metabolism; A measurement unit that selectively measures a specific wavelength and obtains inspection information, and (b) a determination that determines the drunken state of the subject by comparing the reference absorbance and the inspection information at a specific wavelength. The gist of the present invention is that it is a drinking detection device comprising a unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible not only to prevent drunk driving by merely measuring blood alcohol concentration, but also to consider acetaldehyde and internal substances that induce fatigue, and more efficiently and reliably drunk driving It is an object of the present invention to provide a drinking detection device that can prevent the above-described problem and is lightweight, small and inexpensive.

A drinking detection device can be provided.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. The embodiments shown below exemplify apparatuses and methods for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the technical idea of the present invention specifies the arrangement of components and the like as follows. Not what you want. The technical idea of the present invention can be variously modified within the scope of the claims.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a drinking detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention acquires a biological information acquisition unit 4 that acquires a subject's biological information as authentication information, and is linked to the operation of the biological information acquisition unit 4. Then, the infrared spectroscopic absorbance of a part of the body of the subject is selectively measured with respect to a specific wavelength, and the measurement unit 1 that acquires the examination information, and the information that stores the registered biological information and the reference absorbance The storage unit 8, the registered biometric information and the authentication target information are compared, the authentication unit 10 that personally authenticates the subject as the specific driver, and the reference light absorption rate and the information to be inspected are compared and specified at a specific wavelength. And a determination unit 10 that determines a driver's drunk state. The drinking detection apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention further includes a display unit 9 for displaying a result determined by the determination unit. Here, the “specific driver” is a person who performs actual driving (including maneuvering) with respect to the moving object to be driven, and in the drinking detection device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle is actually used. A driver who drives. “Personal authentication” refers to an act of verifying an attribute based on an attribute that only that person (person) can have and proving that the person is the person. In the drinking detection apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, this personal authentication is performed by using the biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 4 as authentication target information. Here, “biometric authentication” is also called biometric authentication, which is a personal authentication technology that uses information on human physical characteristics (biological organs) and behavioral characteristics (癖), and includes fingerprints, pupils, irises, and so on. , Veins, voiceprints, retinas, handwriting, and the like. In the embodiment, fingerprints are acquired as authentication information and biometric authentication is performed.

The measurement unit 1 that detects infrared light emitted from the light source 5 includes deuterated L-alanine-doped triglycine sulfate crystal (DLATGS), lead zirconate titanate (PZT system), lithium tantalate (LiTaO ₃ system). Various infrared detectors such as pyroelectric sensors such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVF2) can be used. Since the DLATGS element has deliquescent properties, it has a structure in which a KRS-5 window plate is attached and shielded from the outside air. In the case of DLATGS, although the sensitivity is high, the Curie temperature is low, so that the temperature of the element needs to be adjusted. The light source 5 can be a vehicle heat, a halogen lamp, or a ceramic heater.

  The information storage unit 8 shown in FIG. 1 is configured so that the biometric information acquisition unit 4 receives the information to be authenticated this time in addition to the reference extinction rate that is a criterion for drinking for each specific wavelength and the fingerprint information of a specific driver registered in advance. The biometric information (fingerprint information) of the subject acquired as and the date and time of acquisition thereof, the test information of the subject measured by the measurement unit 1 this time, the measurement date and time, and the like are also recorded. A plurality of registrations as a specific driver are possible, and convenience can be improved so that a vehicle other than the owner of the vehicle can drive. The information storage unit 8 can use various recording media such as a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk, and manages the stored information as data so that it can be easily reused for search and extraction. It can also be constructed in the form of

  The authentication unit 10 shown in FIG. 1 compares the fingerprint of the specific driver registered in advance in the information storage unit 8 with the fingerprint of the subject acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 4 as authentication information. Personal authentication. If the two compared fingerprints match, the subject who has obtained the fingerprint is identified as a registered specific driver, and if the two are different, the subject is identified as a subject who is not qualified to operate a car equipped with a drinking detection device. The authentication unit 10 can use an arithmetic processing circuit (CPU) having an authentication arithmetic function (arithmetic circuit).

  The determination unit 3 shown in FIG. 1 compares the reference absorbance registered in advance with the measurement result of the subject measured by the measurement unit 1 at each of the specific wavelengths, and determines whether or not the subject can be operated (operated). Determine. If the measured absorbance at each specific wavelength is within the standard absorbance, it is determined that the operation (operation) is possible, and the measured absorbance at each particular wavelength exceeds the standard absorbance. If it is, it is determined that the operation (driving) cannot be performed. The determination result is output to the display unit 9. The determination unit 3 can use an arithmetic processing circuit (CPU) having an arithmetic function for calculating inspection information according to a predetermined algorithm.

  Here, the measurement of the absorptance at each of the specific wavelengths indicating the “alcoholiness” will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The absorptivity is measured by measuring a signal having a specific wavelength identified as a substance characteristic of drinking with a simple infrared spectrophotometer constituting the drinking detection apparatus 100 of FIG.

  The simple infrared spectrophotometer that constitutes the drinking detection apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a measuring unit that measures the infrared spectral absorptance of a part of the human body of light of a specific wavelength among the infrared light emitted from the light source 5. 1. Signal processing unit 2 that performs signal processing on the data of the absorbance at a specific wavelength output from the measurement unit 1, a chopper filter 7 that makes light output from the light source 5 intermittent light, and a chopper that rotates the chopper filter 7. The drive unit 6, the information storage unit 8 that stores an index (reference extinction rate) for a specific wavelength indicating a substance characteristic of drinking that has been identified in advance, and the measured specific wavelength absorption rate and the information storage unit 8 It is composed of a determination unit 3 that compares and analyzes the index (reference absorption rate) and a display unit 9 that displays the analysis result, and has a very simple structure and is inexpensive because it does not include a spectroscope.

As shown in FIG. 2, the chopper filter 7 is a band-pass filter that selectively transmits a wavelength that can identify a substance characteristic of drinking, as a first interference filter 22a, a second interference filter 22b, The three interference filters 22c, the fourth interference filter 22d, the fifth interference filter 22e, and the sixth interference filter 22f, the rotating shaft 20 that receives the rotational force from the chopper driving unit 6, and the reference without the filter 21. For example, the first interference filter 22a is a bandpass filter that transmits a wavelength of wave number 33500.35 cm ⁻¹ , and the second interference filter 22b is a bandpass filter that transmits a wavelength of wave number 1581.63 cm ⁻¹ , The third interference filter 22c is a bandpass filter that transmits a wavelength of 1415.75 cm ⁻¹ , the fourth interference filter 22d is a bandpass filter that transmits a wavelength of 1120.64 cm ⁻¹ , and The interference filter 22e is a band-pass filter that transmits a wavelength of 1039.63 cm ⁻¹ , and the sixth interference filter 22f is a band-pass filter that transmits a wavelength of 852.54 cm ⁻¹ .

  When alcohol is consumed, it is said that 5% or more of the absorbed alcohol permeates into the body except for parts with low water content such as hair, bones, teeth and adipose tissue. Most are metabolized in the liver, but they produce intermediate products. For example, acetaldehyde is produced by dehydrogenase (ADH), and acetic acid is produced by acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). In general, when alcohol is metabolized in the liver, the liver function is decreased, the metabolism of lactic acid is deteriorated, and the lactic acid concentration in the blood is increased in relation to the decrease in blood oxygen saturation. Some of these substances have infrared absorption based on molecular vibration, and drinking can be detected by examining infrared absorption of a part of the body.

FIG. 3 shows a spectrum of infrared absorbance before and after drinking by FT-IR (Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer), and FIG. 4 shows infrared absorbance before and after drinking. The spectrum difference is shown. The wavelength at which a substance characteristic of drinking can be identified is determined from the peak of the spectrum waveform due to the difference in infrared absorbance before and after drinking shown in FIG. The peak wavelength of wave number 33500.35 cm ⁻¹ shown in FIG. 4, the peak wavelength of wave number 3213.41 cm ⁻¹ , the peak wavelength of wave number 2926.01 cm ⁻¹ , the peak wavelength of wave number 1710.86 cm ⁻¹ , the wave number of 1662.64 cm ^{− 1} peak wavelength, wave number 1581.63 cm ⁻¹ , wave number 1542.40 cm ⁻¹ peak wavelength, wave number 1415.75 cm ⁻¹ peak wavelength, wave number 1363.67 cm ⁻¹ peak wavelength, wave number 1313.52 cm ⁻ The peak wavelength of ^1; the peak wavelength of wave number 1261.45 cm ^−1; the peak wavelength of wave number 1120.64 cm ^−1; the peak wavelength of wave number 1039.63 cm ^−1; the peak wavelength of wave number 852.54 cm ⁻¹ ; Waves inherent in alcohol metabolism intermediates such as acetaldehyde and substances that change in relation to alcohol metabolism such as lactic acid It can be estimated to be. However, which peak wavelength is assigned to which filter can be arbitrarily selected from the spectrum waveform of the difference in infrared absorbance before and after drinking shown in FIG.

  In addition, since it can be seen from FIG. 3 that there is a spectrum peak derived from a living body that has not changed before and after drinking, this wavelength is assigned to one of the six filters of the first to sixth interference filters 22a to 22f. By assigning it, it can be used to distinguish it from a non-human body or wearing gloves.

  Furthermore, although the chopper filter 7 illustrated in FIG. 2 uses six filters of the first to sixth interference filters 22a to 22f, the number of filters is not limited to six and may be 7 or more and 5 or less. Absent. However, it is needless to say that the number of filters is one or more. However, if the number of filters is plural, the reliability of data can be increased by comparing signal intensities (infrared absorptivity) between different wavelengths, and therefore the number of filters is preferably two or more.

  The chopper driving unit 6 rotates the chopper filter 7, and the measuring unit 1 performs synchronous detection on the selected specific wavelength light among the light emitted from the light source 5. Preferably, the measurement unit 1 may perform lock-in amplification detection or boxcar integration using a synchronization signal generated by the rotation of the chopper filter 7, but simple synchronization detection may be used from the viewpoint of cost reduction. However, since the chopper filter 7 has the reference 21 without the filter together with the first to sixth interference filters 22a to 22f, the signal transmitted through the reference 21 without the filter is used as one signal for differential lock-in amplification. May be. When differential lock-in amplification is performed, the signal intensity may be adjusted using a neutral filter having no wavelength characteristic for the reference 21.

  If the subject inserts a part of the human body, for example, a finger, between the upper window member 11a and the lower window member 11b, the infrared light emitted from the light source 5 is reflected by the first to sixth interference filters 22a. It is limited to the specific wavelength specified by ˜22f and passes through the finger, and the infrared spectral absorbance for the specific wavelength is measured. The signal processing unit 2 removes noise components and background components from the infrared spectral absorptance data for each specific wavelength output by the measurement unit 1. The determination unit 3 compares the calculated infrared spectral absorbance of the specific wavelength with the infrared spectral absorbance before drinking of the corresponding wavelength stored in the information storage unit 8. Here, the calculated infrared spectral absorptance of the subject is referred to as “inspection information”, and the infrared spectral absorptance that is stored in the information storage unit 8 and serves as an index before drinking is referred to as a “reference absorbance”. By comparing the information to be inspected and the reference absorbance with respect to a specific wavelength, the determination unit 3 determines the degree of drunkness of the subject and displays the determination result on the display unit 9.

A transparent electrode is disposed on the surface of the lower window member 11b. The transparent electrode is used as a start button (power-on button) of the drinking detection device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the drinking detection device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the lower electrode is used. Since the material 11b functions as a window material for measuring the infrared spectral absorptance, transparency is required. The material of the transparent electrode may be any material that is transparent to visible light and conducts electricity. For example, an indium oxide (In ₂ O ₃ ) film (ITO) doped with tin (Sn) or indium (In) is doped. Zinc oxide (ZnO) film (IZO), zinc oxide film (GZO) doped with gallium (Ga), tin oxide (SnO ₂ ), zinc oxide film doped with fluorine to give acid resistance (FTO), etc. A transparent electrode can be used. In order to measure a change in electrical resistance due to finger contact as a start button (power-on button), the transparent electrode is configured by a pair of comb-shaped electrodes (interdigital). That is, when the finger touches the transparent electrode, a change in electrical resistance between the pair of comb-shaped electrodes is detected, the change in electrical resistance is detected, energization of the drinking detection apparatus 100 is started, and the operation of the drinking detection apparatus 100 Starts.

  Next, a drinking detection method using the drinking detection apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.

  (A) In step S101, the subject's finger is inserted into the drinking detection apparatus 100 mounted on the driving target (moving body). Since the transparent electrode on the surface of the lower window member 11b shown in FIG. 1 functions as a power-on button, the biological information acquisition unit 4 first operates simultaneously with the insertion of the subject's finger into the drinking detection device 100. Start. That is, as soon as the subject's finger is inserted into the drinking detection apparatus 100, step S102 is started, and the biological information (fingerprint information) of the subject is acquired as authentication information by the biological information acquisition unit 4. The fingerprint information acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 4 is temporarily stored in the information storage unit 8 of FIG.

  (B) In step S103, the authentication unit 10 compares the fingerprint information of the subject acquired in step S102 with the registered driver's registered biometric information (registered fingerprint information) registered in advance, and in step S104, the step Based on the result of the comparison in S103, authentication processing is performed to determine whether or not the subject in contact with the power-on button is a specific driver who has a legitimate authority when operating the driving target. If the fingerprint information acquired in step S102 matches the fingerprint information of the specific driver registered in advance, the authentication unit 10 specifies that the subject is an authorized specific driver, and proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, if the fingerprint information is different, the subject is determined not to be a specific driver but to be a person who does not have the authority to operate the driving target (mobile body) on which the drinking detection device 100 is mounted. End the operation. In this case, the infrared light measurement process is not performed.

  (C) In step S105, the light source 5, the chopper driving unit 6, the measuring unit 1, and the like start operation, and the measuring unit 1 calculates the transmittance (absorbance) of infrared light that has passed through the finger of the subject. A synchronization signal is obtained from the drive unit 6 or the chopper filter 7 and measured by synchronization detection. As the measurement value, a value calculated by one measurement or an average value calculated by using the measured value after several measurements in a certain time to improve validity can be adopted. The calculation method of the measurement result using the number of measurements and the measurement value can be set in advance by the owner of the automobile. The signal processing unit 2 removes noise components and background components from the infrared spectral absorptance data for each specific wavelength output by the measurement unit 1.

  (D) In step S106, the determination unit 3 compares the infrared absorbance of a part of the subject's body, which is the examination information, with a reference absorbance (index). In step S107, the determination unit 3 The alcohol level is displayed on the display unit 9.

  (E) Furthermore, if the measurement unit 1 and the biological information acquisition unit 4 are attached to a part of the handle in contact with the living body, the biological information acquisition unit 4 operates at a constant frequency even during operation (operation). Person authentication can be performed. When impersonation or the like is performed, it is determined that the person operating (driving) the car is different from the specific driver registered in advance, and a warning is displayed on the display unit 9 in FIG. Is displayed.

  According to the drinking detection apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is easy to determine whether the inspected information of the specific driver who has detected drinking is in a state suitable for operation (driving) with a simple and inexpensive apparatus. Can be judged. In particular, intermediate products of alcohol metabolism such as blood alcohol and acetaldehyde, and substances that change in relation to alcohol metabolism such as lactic acid can be easily measured with a small and inexpensive apparatus without using a spectrometer. In addition, even if a third party impersonates and becomes a subject to detect drinking and is a drinker but a specific driver wants to operate (drive), the specific driver's drunk driving by a third party is performed based on the registered biometric information. Assistance can be deterred. In addition, by registering in advance infrared spectral absorbance at a wavelength corresponding to a spectrum peak derived from a living body that does not change before and after drinking, it is possible to detect impersonation with a substance other than the living body by a specific driver. Can be prevented.

  Furthermore, the drinking detection device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention can measure inspected information with a simple device in a short time, in a non-invasive and simple manner before and during operation (operation) of a moving body, By operating in conjunction with the information acquisition unit 4, it is possible to eliminate drinking detection using a substance other than a living body by impersonating a specific driver as a third party who is not a driver and detecting drinking. As a result, unnecessary work can be prevented from occurring.

(Other embodiments)
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described as described above, it should not be understood that the descriptions and drawings constituting a part of this disclosure limit the present invention. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples and operational techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

  For example, although the information storage unit 8 shown in FIG. 1 has been described as being included in the drinking detection device, it is needless to say that a recording device such as an HDD provided in a car navigation system mounted on the vehicle may be used.

  As described above, the present invention naturally includes various embodiments not described herein. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is defined only by the invention specifying matters according to the scope of claims reasonable from the above description.

It is a typical block diagram explaining the outline of the principal part of the drinking detection apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining the structure of the chopper filter of the drinking detection apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which shows the change of the infrared light absorbency before and behind drinking measured in order to determine the specific wavelength used for the drinking detection apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which shows the difference of the infrared light absorbency before and behind drinking calculated | required from FIG. It is a flowchart figure which shows the drinking detection method which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Measuring part 2 ... Signal processing part 3 ... Determination part 4 ... Biometric information acquisition part 5 ... Light source 6 ... Chopper drive part 7 ... Chopper filter 8 ... Information storage part 9 ... Display part 10 ... Authentication part 11a ... Upper window material 11b ... Lower window material 20 ... Rotating shaft 21 ... Reference 22a ... First interference filter 22b ... Second interference filter 22c ... Third interference filter 22d ... Fourth interference filter 22e ... Fifth interference filter 22f ... First 6 interference filters 100 ... Alcohol detection device

Claims (3)

Infrared spectroscopic absorbance of a part of a subject's body is selectively measured with respect to a plurality of specific wavelengths, including wavelengths unique to lactic acid that vary in concentration in the subject's blood in relation to alcohol metabolism. And a measuring unit for acquiring inspected information;
A drinking detection apparatus comprising: a determination unit that compares a reference absorbance with the information to be inspected at the specific wavelength and determines a drunk state of the subject.   The apparatus further comprises a chopper filter in which a plurality of bandpass filters that selectively transmit light of the specific wavelength are arranged around a rotation axis, and the infrared spectroscopic absorption is performed by light having different wavelengths transmitted through the bandpass filter. The drinking detection device according to claim 1, wherein a rate is measured. A biological information acquisition unit that operates in conjunction with the acquisition of the test information, and acquires the biometric information of the subject as authentication information;
The drinking detection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an authentication unit that compares registered biometric information with the authentication target information and personally authenticates the subject as a specific driver.

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