Abstract:
The present invention provides a portable alcohol tester with biometric and location recordation and transmission. The portable unit may use photo, retina, or fingerprint recordation while the system is testing to ensure the identity of the participant. The unit may also use Wi-Fi stations, cellular towers or global position satellites to identify a location, time, and date for the test and record said information. The unit may be equipped with RF, Wireless, cellular, or Bluetooth™ communications to transmit the test information to a remote data center. The data center is equipped to merge the various different data points received into a coordinated presentation. The test information can be used by criminal justice agencies for recording the time, date, location, biometric ID, and breath alcohol content. The same information could be used for participant monitoring or rehab institutions.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to provisional application No. 61/746,334 filed Dec. 27, 2012 and titled BREATH ALCOHOL RECORDING AND TRANSMISSION SYSTEM 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to a breath alcohol tester. More particularly, the present invention relates to a portable breath alcohol tester with recordation of biometric and location information and the ability to transmit the information to a local display and remote data center. 
         [0003]    Standard breath alcohol testers are well known in the field, and are used to give criminal justice agencies and general persons information relating to the approximate blood alcohol content based on alcohol in the participant&#39;s breath. The participant blows into the unit and the device determines and displays the information on a local display. 
         [0004]    Embodiments of the prior art were limited in giving only a read out that the officer would have to record for use later. Further there is no method of confirming the subject or location of the test. The court and participant monitoring services must rely on the accuracy of the officer&#39;s report over the participant&#39;s testimony. 
         [0005]    In other embodiments of the prior art, the alcohol testing device would transmit the data to a computer system which then compiles data over the course of several hours or days. After being compiled, the information is sent to criminal justice agent (e.g., probation officer, police officer) or treatment personnel for review. This lack of real-time reporting is problematic in that it indicates only that a participant had been drinking; it did not indicate that participant was currently drinking, or where the participant could be located. 
         [0006]    In other embodiments of the prior art, breath alcohol testers have been used for interlock devices, which prevent cars from starting unless the driver first ‘blows’ less than a predetermined breath alcohol content. One weakness of prior art devices is that, because no biometric data is collected, they could be defeated by having a person other than the driver perform the test. 
         [0007]    The use of transdermal alcohol monitoring for participant monitoring or rehab programs has been used by attaching an irremovable detector to the participant that monitors the alcohol level and records the information for later retrieval. This requires the user to have a bulky, unattractive and attention drawing unit attached to them at all times. Additionally, the transdermal bracelets have demonstrated a propensity to induce dermatitis and sores requiring periodic shifting of the device between ankles. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    One or more of the embodiments of the present invention provide a portable alcohol tester with biometric and location recordation and transmission. The portable unit may use photo, retina, or fingerprint recordation while the system is testing to ensure the identity of the participant. The unit may also use Wi-Fi stations, cellular towers or global position satellites to identify a location, time, and date for the test and record said information. The unit may be equipped with RF, Wireless, cellular, or Bluetooth™ communications to transmit the test information to a remote data center. The data center is equipped to merge the various different data points received into a coordinated presentation. The test information can be used by criminal justice agencies for recording the time, date, location, biometric ID, and breath alcohol content. The same information could be used for participant monitoring or rehab institutions. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram schematic representation of breath alcohol tester according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates an outer appearance of an embodiment of the Breath alcohol tester. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates a breath alcohol tester  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The breath alcohol tester  100  includes a processor  105 , a power supply  110 , a display  120 , a memory unit  125 , a biometric recorder  130 , a feedback unit  140 , a testing unit  150 , and a communications unit  160 . The power supply  110  includes a battery  111 , a battery manager circuit  114 , a dc power charger port  112 A, an AC power charger port  112 B, a DC power converter  115  and a USB port  113 . The biometric recorder unit  130  includes a camera  131  and a facial illuminator  132 . The feedback unit  140  includes feedback lights  141 , audio or mechanical feedback unit  142 , and feedback buttons  143 . The testing unit includes a pressure sensor  151 , a fuel cell  152  and a pump  153 . The communications unit  160  includes a wireless module  161  and an antenna  163 . 
         [0012]    The AC power charger port  112 B, of the power supply  110 , is electrically connected to the DC power converter  115 . The DC power converter  115  is electrically connected to the battery manager circuit  114  and all the circuitry requiring conditioned DC power. The DC power converter  115  receives electrical power from the AC Charger Port  112 B and the Battery Manager  114  and produces regulated voltages with sufficient current capacity to energize the remaining electrical components. The battery management circuit is electrically connected to the DC power charger port  112 A, the battery  111 , the USB port  113 , and in parallel with the USB port to the processor  105 . The processor  105  is in data/electrical communication with the display  120 , the memory unit  125 , the facial illuminator  132 , the camera  131 , the pressure sensor  151 , the fuel cell  152 , the pump  153 , the feedback lights  141 , the audio/mechanical feedback  142 , the feedback buttons  143 , and the wireless module  161 . The pump  153  is in fluid contact with the fuel cell  152 . The wireless module is in data/electrical communication with the antenna  163 . 
         [0013]    In operation, the AC power charger port  112 B, if provided, is connected to a standard wall outlet or a wall power adapter providing low voltage AC power. AC power is supplied by the AC power charger port  112 B to the DC power converter  115 . The DC power converter  115  rectifies and transforms the AC to DC power at the desired voltage. The DC power converter  115  receives electrical power from the AC Charger Port  112 B and the Battery Manager  114  and produces regulated voltages with sufficient current capacity to energize the remaining electrical components. The battery manager  114  supplies power to maintain the charge on the battery  111  in a regulated manner to maximize battery life. The DC power charger port  112 A is connected to a standard wall outlet with a DC power supply circuit. The DC power charger port  112 A supplies the Battery manager circuit  114  and the DC Power Converter  115  with DC power. The USB port  113  supplies DC power to the battery manager and the DC Power Converter  115  circuit through a USB connector. The DC Power Converter  115  supplies electrical power to the processor  105 . 
         [0014]    The feedback buttons  143  are used to change modes, display, and start the test. The feedback buttons also are used to acknowledge receipt of messages initiated by the officer or agency which appear on the Display  120 . The user depresses the feedback button or buttons  143  to start the test, sending a signal to the processor  105  to execute a test. The processor sends a signal to the feedback lights  141  to energize the red light. The feedback lights  141  including one or more light emitting diodes or various colors. The user blows into the input straw, such as  254  of  FIG. 2 . When the pressure flow sensor  151  detects pressure above a predetermined level for a sufficient period of time to insure that a deep lung sample has been acquired it sends a signal to the processor  105 . The processor de-energizes the red and energizes the green feedback light  141 , indicating to the user that they are blowing into the sample tube at an acceptable volume. The processor also energizes the pump to send the volume of user&#39;s breath at a predetermined rate to the fuel cell  152 . In some embodiments the fuel cell  152  is a semiconductor sensor. When a predetermined volume of breath has been processed by the fuel cell  152 , the processor sends a signal to the pump to de-energize, and a signal to the feedback lights to indicate that the test is complete, such as flashing both red and green lights. The fuel cell  152  measures the level of alcohol in the sample and sends the results to the processor  105 . The processor (optionally) sends the results to the display  120  for the user to view. The capability to display the test results to the client is optionally configurable by the officer or agency. 
         [0015]    During the test the camera  131  records biometric data, such as a picture of the participant&#39;s face. The camera  131  should be of sufficient quality to allow for a detailed image, such as six megapixels. The processor  105  sends a signal to the facial illuminator  132  to energize to provide adequate light for a picture of the participant. The facial illuminators  132  include one or more light emitting diodes. The processor then sends a signal to the camera  131  to capture an image of the participant. The camera sends the image data to the processor  105 . The processor  105  sends the test results, received from the fuel cell  152 , as well as date/time information, and the image data to the memory unit  125 . The memory unit  125  can be any digital memory device, but is preferred to be solid state memory. The memory unit  125  stores the recorded information until retrieved. 
         [0016]    The data stored in the memory unit  125  may be retrieved by plugging a computing device into the USB port  113 . The computing device sends a signal to the processor  105  to retrieve the recorded data. The processor  105  sends a request for the recorded data to the memory unit  125 . The memory unit  125  sends the recorded data to the processor  105 , which sends the data to the computing device through the USB port  113 . After the test results are received, the processor receives commands and configuration data from the computing device. 
         [0017]    Additionally the data stored in the memory unit may be sent to a remote database by the wireless module  161 . When a record has been sent to the memory unit or at a predetermined time interval the processor  105  will send a signal to the wireless module to verify data signal connection. The wireless module  161  detects the data signal strength, using the antenna  163 , and sends the information to the processor  105 . If a data signal is present the processor  105  request the wireless module to establish a communications link using the antenna  163 . The processor  105  requests the recorded data from the memory unit  125  and sends it to the wireless module. The wireless module  161  transmits the recorded data to the remote database through the antenna  163 . Alternatively, the wireless module may be a cellular module and perform the operation in the same method. In the event that the device is out of range of wireless or cellular communication, the memory unit  125  will store the data until such time that communication is restored. After the test results are received, the processor receives commands and configuration data from the host computer. 
         [0018]    An embodiment of the breath alcohol tester includes a Bluetooth™ or Wi-Fi module  164 . The Bluetooth™ or Wi-Fi module  164  is in data/electrical communication with the processor  105 . The Bluetooth™ or Wi-Fi module  164  transmits the recorded data to a relay unit which is connected to a phone line or the internet. The relay unit sends the recorded data to the remote database. 
         [0019]    An embodiment of the breath alcohol tester includes a global position detector  162 . The global position detector  162  is in electrical connection with the processor  105 . During a test the global position detector uses satellite positioning to determine a global position. The global position detector  162  sends the global location data to the processor  105 . The processor  105  includes the global position data in the recorded data and stores it in the memory unit  125 . If the unit is equipped with a cellular module  163 , the module may be used to triangulate a global position using cellular towers. The location data would be sent to the processor  105  and stored as discussed. 
         [0020]    The test information can be reviewed and stored at remote locations for evidentiary purposes in criminal justice proceedings. Additionally, the test data can be used to aid and monitor persons in rehab of monitoring programs. 
         [0021]    In one embodiment the date/time information is generated by an onboard clock. This data may be superseded or updated by a GPS signal form the global position detector  162  with date/time data or a cellular signal from the wireless module  161  with date/time data or from the host computer or computing device. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment of the breath alcohol tester, the feedback buttons  143  serve a second purpose of recording biometric data. When this feature is equipped one or more of the feedback buttons  143  must be depressed during the test. The feedback buttons are equipped with biometric fingerprint scanners. The processor  105  sends a signal during the test to the feedback button to execute a biometric scan. The feedback buttons use the fingerprint scanner to collect an image of the participant&#39;s fingerprint. The feedback buttons  143  sends the fingerprint data to the processor  105 . The processor  105  stores the fingerprint data with the recorded data for the test in the memory unit  125 . 
         [0023]    In an embodiment of the breath alcohol tester the camera  131  is designed and oriented to capture a retinal image. The retinal image stored in the same manner as the facial image data. The use of retinal image provides increased reliability in the identity of the test participant. 
         [0024]    In an embodiment of the breath alcohol tester the display  120  is a touch screen and the user may perform operations and selections from the screen or with the feedback buttons. In other embodiments the feedback buttons are removed and all functions are controlled by the touch screen. 
         [0025]    An embodiment of the invention includes an audio and/or mechanical feedback unit  142 . When a test starts or ends the audio and/or mechanical unit  142  may shake or rattle to alert or inform the user of the change in status. If the participant is required to perform a test at a specified time or interval the processor may send a signal to the audio and/or mechanical feedback unit  142  to actuate physically or with a beep or similar audio cue. If the unit is equipped with speaker the processor could send a signal to the audio and/or mechanical unit  142  to speak instructions and results. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of the exterior of the breath alcohol tester  200 . The breath alcohol tester includes a display  220 , a camera  231 , a facial illuminator  232 , feedback lights  241 , an input straw  254 , and a case  270 . The case  270  houses the camera  231 , the facial illuminator  232 , the feedback lights  241 , and the input straw connection  254 . 
         [0027]    In operation the participant inserts a disposable sample straw into the connection for the input straw  254 . The user then depresses one or more of the feedback buttons  243  to start the test. The red feedback light  241  energizes to inform the participant that the test has begun and to blow into the sample straw. When the participant has blown with adequate force the green feedback light  241  will energize and the red will de-energize. The use in color of the feedback lights  241  is illustrative only and any combination may be used. The facial illuminator  232  will energize to light the face of the participant, and the camera  231  will capture an image of the participant. When the test is complete both the red and green feedback lights  241  will flash to inform the user that the test is complete. The breath alcohol level of the participant will (optionally) appear on the display  220 . 
         [0028]    Prior portable breath alcohol devices merely took a sample and then displayed the results via a numeric digital display. Results were not date and timestamped, nor were they correlated with a biometric data point such as a photograph of the participant being tested. In addition, results were not communicated wirelessly to a central monitoring system for further plotting on maps with availability to be ‘alarmed’ and redistributed to field officers. Another drawback of prior devices is that reporting was delayed by hours, or sometimes days. This delay can lead to difficulty in proving that the participant was or was not in compliance with terms of probation or other legal restrictions imposed on the participant. 
         [0029]    In one embodiment, the system can be used by criminal justice agent in the field. When a participant is identified in the field by a government officer or other authorized officer as requiring a breath alcohol test, the officer, using the breath alcohol tester, supervises the collection of a breath alcohol test by instructing the participant to blow through a small straw into the GPS-enabled breath alcohol tester. In other embodiments, the system is designed to be carried by the participant, who is alerted by the device that a test is required. In this case, the participant operates the device himself by blowing through a small straw into the breath alcohol tester. 
         [0030]    After enough breath is collected an LED light flashes green while simultaneously taking a picture of the participant via a camera with sufficient clarity, such as 6 mega pixels. The collected breath alcohol sample is pressurized and analyzed using fuel cell extract technology. The results of the test, the picture of the participant (or other biometric data), the GPS location data point and the date and time are then communicated via wireless data to a central monitoring system. The monitoring system then plots the data on a mapping system and further distributes the results of the tests to other officials remotely as required. Mapping system data can include Google™ street level information which can be used to verify the location of the test such as a bar or other public place. 
         [0031]    In a preferred embodiment, the data points described above are collected and processed by a central monitoring system. A central monitoring system is used to manage the different expectations and needs of the various users of the breath alcohol recording and transmission system. In practice, the type of system described herein may be used by hundreds or thousands of different government agencies, rehabilitation centers, and the like. Each of these entities may desire to have the monitoring processed in a slightly different way. Thus, the central monitoring system must be highly flexible in how it applies the rules set by the requesting entity. Each entity creates a profile or monitoring template describing with particularity the information it requires from the participant, the schedule on which the information is collected, and how and to whom that information is reported after collection. In one embodiment, the central monitoring system also allows the entities to change the parameters of the monitoring template as needed by remote access to the database, as through a secure internet portal. This allows greater flexibility in monitoring based on the agency&#39;s needs, and eliminates the need to involve additional personnel to effect changes, thus saving time and money to the user and the central monitoring system provider. 
         [0032]    The entities that use the system described herein are provided a user interface that integrates the various data points collected by the system. The central monitoring system monitors various field monitoring systems (photograph of the participant, fuel cell readings, time, date, GPS location, etc.). All of these various systems report their data through to the central monitoring system, or online transaction processing system. The central monitoring system then checks this data against the parameters set by the requesting entity and determines how the data should be processed. The data is then presented on what appears to be a single user interface. In reality each type of data is likely to run on a different database or different system architecture. It is an object of this invention to unify the data for presentation in a single interface. 
         [0033]    Each government agency or entity requires specific actions to occur in response to the various transactions received and processed through the central monitoring system. Many of the transactions do not require operator reaction. Such ‘no reaction’ transactions are simply filed for review or reporting during the normal course of business. Other transactions require various levels of response from operators or are timed and watched for additional operator action. Some transactions are immediately marked as alarms and sent via text to government agency officials. In some cases, the alarms may be subsequently nullified by events received from the various field devices. Alarm transactions may require that a monitoring center operator take some type of action such as calling an offender&#39;s home, calling an officer on the telephone or calling the local police and reporting an activity. In practice, the breath alcohol testing and monitoring system provides the exact information needed to the government agency or other entity with little or negligible delay. Thus the information does not merely pass through a central computer, but is compiled and adapted to the particular needs of the agency. 
         [0034]    In one embodiment of the invention, multiple users of the breath alcohol recording and transmission system are enabled to view the reporting information collected. In this case, the term “user” includes the participant being tested, the government agency (or agencies) and personnel charged with monitoring the participant, rehabilitation centers treating the participant, court personnel, and the like. In a preferred embodiment, the information is immediately pushed to a portable device such as a smart phone, tablet, or laptop for viewing by the user. A user can also view the reports either by accessing a particular website hosting the information, through notifications sent to a smart phone, laptop, or similar device, or through a periodic report sent by email, facsimile, mail or other means to a requesting user. Because the information collected is a compilation of several layers of data, it also provides for a more sure evidentiary basis, in the event that the data is to be used in court proceedings. 
         [0035]    In effect, the monitoring system described here notifies local criminal justice agencies in real time whether a participant is in compliance with the terms of his probation or rehabilitation goals. In the case that the participant is not in compliance (i.e., the test shows an elevated level of alcohol in the participant), officers of the relevant criminal justice agency are notified at that moment that the participant is in violation, and can also be told exactly where the participant is at the moment. By so doing, the integration of the portable device described above with the central monitoring system is a substantial improvement over the prior art, which could not provide the benefits of real-time monitoring with the surety of identifying biometric information and location information. 
         [0036]    The breath alcohol tester&#39;s relatively small size and portability make it easy to carry and use in the field. The size and portability also make it much less noticeable to other persons, because it is not continuously worn. The participant may discreetly perform the test and replace the system into a bag or other transportation device without drawing attention to the use. The self-reporting system allows for the test data to be sent to monitoring centers without the participant performing further operations. Although the test data may be retrieved manually, it is not required for the monitoring service or the participant to travel to the other to retrieve the data increasing convenience for both. 
         [0037]    Because the device can be carried by the participant, and because the government agency is allowed to access the data or the monitoring profile at any time, it is also possible to manually trigger a testing event remotely. For example, if a criminal justice agent receives information that the participant is likely to be in violation of his probation, the officer can signal the participant&#39;s device to create an audible or tactile alarm via the feedback unit  142  indicating that the participant is to blow into the device immediately. The information can then be sent immediately to the officer to verify whether the participant is in compliance with terms of his probation. Alternatively, the officer may send additional instructions to the participant, which instructions are displayed on the device in real time. The participant, upon receiving a manually-triggered request for testing may acknowledge that the request was received and understood by pressing a button, such as the feedback button  143 . 
         [0038]    Alternatively, the criminal justice agency or treatment provider may choose to create periodic testing schedules for the participant. In such a case, the criminal justice agent could create a new profile via a secure web portal. This new profile would be communicated to the device, which would then be updated with the new schedule. As a practical example of this use, a probation officer could determine that a participant is to blow into the tester at 10:05 A.M. every day during the coming week. The time to take the test may also be adjusted randomly by the unit itself but within some nominal limits. The unit may also be instructed to demand tests based upon a completely random schedule or a random schedule but within specific time frames. The minimum interval between tests may also be specified. The probation officer would create this schedule using the profile described above. The new profile is then transmitted via cellular, Bluetooth™, USB or other similar transmission method to the participant&#39;s device. In a preferred embodiment, the participant would not be informed of the new test schedule, but would be alerted via audible or tactile cue at the newly appointed time to blow into the tester (in this case at 10:05 A.M.). In this example, the probation officer may alternatively choose to test at different times each day of the week, or may even update the schedule every day, week, or month, as desired. Using this method, the probation officer could further ensure compliance with probation conditions through surprise or seemingly random test times. 
         [0039]    An added feature of the invention is the ability for the criminal justice agency or treatment provider to communicate via personalized text messages directly with the participant. The invention offers the ability to send SMS messages or similar direct messages directly to the participant and alerts the individual with an audible signal. The message appears on the LED screen and the participant acknowledges receipt of the message. 
         [0040]    While particular elements, embodiments, and applications of the present invention have been shown and described, it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto because modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teaching. It is therefore contemplated by the appended claims to cover such modifications and incorporate those features which come within the spirit and scope of the invention.