Pre-calibrated replaceable sensor module for a breath alcohol testing device

Abstract

The present invention describes a replaceable breath alcohol sensor module that can be replaced with a new pre-calibrated breath alcohol sensor module or re-calibrated. The breath alcohol sensor module requiring calibration can be removed from the body of a Breath Alcohol Testing Device (commonly called “breathalyser” or “breathalyzer”). The breath alcohol sensor module can be separately calibrated for accurate calculation of “percent blood alcohol concentration” (% BAC) based on breath air samples and then re-installed into the breath alcohol tester or the old breath alcohol sensor module can be replaced with a new pre-calibrated breath alcohol sensor module. The present invention improves upon and/or replacing the current method of re-calibration at a breathalyzer service center.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

The following detailed descriptions, given by way of example, and not intended to limit the present invention solely thereto, will be best be understood in conjunction with the accompanying figures:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a pre-calibrated replaceable breath alcohol sensor module in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the primary circuitry of the sensor module in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a pre-calibrated replaceable breath alcohol sensor module attached to a breath sampling tube in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a breathalyzer unit incorporating the pre-calibrated replaceable breath alcohol sensor module of FIG. 3 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the current breathalyzer re-calibration process involving breathalyzer service centers;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are flowcharts illustrating the new breathalyzer re-calibration process in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 8A-8K depict the pre-calibrated alcohol sensor module installation process in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. A replaceable sensor module for use with a breathalyzer comprising: a breath alcohol sensor for calculating an equivalent percent Blood Alcohol Concentration (% BAC) based on analysis of a breath air sample;a non-volatile memory unit for storing calibration information for said breath alcohol sensor to maintain said breath alcohol sensor in a calibrated state; anda printed circuit board for mounting said breath alcohol sensor, said non-volatile memory unit, and an electronic circuitry for connecting said breath alcohol sensor and said non-volatile memory to a primary signal processing unit of said breathalyzer.

2. The module of claim 1, further comprising an adapter for removably connecting said pre-calibrated replaceable sensor module to said breathalyzer.

3. The module of claim 1, wherein said replaceable sensor module is individually pre-calibrated prior to installation into said breathalyzer.

4. The module of claim 1, wherein said replaceable sensor module is replaced with a new pre-calibrated replaceable sensor module if it is determined that said breath alcohol sensor requires re-calibration.

5. The module of claim 1, wherein said replaceable sensor module is replaced with a new pre-calibrated replaceable sensor module after being used for a pre-determined number of times.

6. The module of claim 1, wherein said breathalyzer is one of the following: a portable breathalyzer, a coin-operated breathalyzer, a key-chain breathalyzer or a car ignition breathalyzer.

7. The module of claim 1, further comprising a breath sampling tube attached to said breath alcohol sensor.

8. The module of claim 1, wherein said breathalyzer comprises a compartment to house said replaceable sensor module and a cover to enclose said replaceable sensor module within said breathalyzer.

9. The module of claim 1, further comprising a heating unit to warm up said breath alcohol sensor.

10. The module of claim 1, wherein said electronic circuitry is operable to detect changes in conductivity according to varying levels of alcohol concentration.

11. A breathalyzer, comprising: a signal processing unit;a replaceable sensor module comprising: a breath alcohol sensor for calculating an equivalent percent Blood Alcohol Concentration (% BAC) based on analysis of a breath air sample;a non-volatile memory unit for storing calibration information for said breath alcohol sensor to maintain said breath alcohol sensor in a calibrated state; anda printed circuit board for mounting said breath alcohol sensor, said non-volatile memory unit, and an electronic circuitry for connecting said breath alcohol sensor and said non-volatile memory to said signal processing unit; andan adapter for removably connecting said pre-calibrated replaceable sensor module to said breathalyzer; andan interface to electronically link said replaceable sensor module to said signal processing unit;a display for displaying the % BAC to a user;breath sampling tube attached to said breath alcohol sensor; anda housing to house said signal processing unit, said replaceable module, said display, said breath sampling tube and said interface.

12. The breathalyzer of claim 11, wherein said interface electronically links said adapter to said signal processing unit.

13. The breathalyzer of claim 11, wherein said replaceable sensor module is replaced with a new pre-calibrated replaceable sensor module if it is determined that said breath alcohol sensor requires re-calibration.

14. The breathalyzer of claim 11, wherein said replaceable sensor module is replaced with a new pre-calibrated replaceable sensor module after being used for a pre-determined number of times.

15. The breathalyzer of claim 11, wherein said breathalyzer is one of the following: a portable breathalyzer, a coin-operated breathalyzer, a key-chain breathalyzer or a car ignition breathalyzer.

16. The breathalyzer of claim 11, further comprising a compartment to house said replaceable sensor module and wherein said housing comprises a cover to enclose said replaceable sensor module within said housing of said breathalyzer.

17. The breathalyzer of claim 11, wherein said replaceable sensor module comprises a heating unit to warm up said breath alcohol sensor.

18. The breathalyzer of claim 11, wherein said electronic circuitry of said replaceable sensor module is operable to detect changes in conductivity according to varying levels of alcohol concentration.

19. A method of calibrating a breathalyzer having a replaceable breath alcohol sensor module, comprising the steps of: determining if said replaceable breath alcohol sensor module requires re-calibration; andreplacing said replaceable breath alcohol sensor module with a new pre-calibrated replaceable breath alcohol sensor module if it is determined that said replaceable breath alcohol sensor module requires re-calibration.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of replacing comprises the step of replacing said replaceable breath alcohol sensor module with a new pre-calibrated replaceable breath alcohol sensor module after being used for a pre-determined number of times.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of replacing comprises the steps of: disconnecting said replaceable breath alcohol sensor module from said breathalyzer; andconnecting said new pre-calibrated replaceable breath alcohol sensor module to said breathalyzer.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of replacing comprises the step of disconnecting a breath sampling tube from said replaceable breath alcohol sensor module;disconnecting said replaceable breath alcohol sensor module from said breathalyzer;connecting said new pre-calibrated replaceable breath alcohol sensor module to said breathalyzer; andconnecting said breath sampling tube to said new pre-calibrated replaceable breath alcohol sensor module.