JP5314799B1 - Mouthpiece of expiratory component measuring device, expiratory component measuring assembly, expiratory component measuring device, and expiratory component measuring system - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to confirm that a subject continues to exhale and to extend the useful life of the exhalation measuring device.
A mouthpiece attached to a breath component measuring apparatus for measuring alcohol concentration of breath of a subject is provided. The mouthpiece includes an insufflation port through which a subject's exhalation is blown, and an exhalation flow path through which the exhaled breath blown from the inhalation port flows into the exhalation component measuring device. The mouthpiece further includes a sound generation unit that generates sound by the flow of exhalation.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a mouthpiece of an expiratory component measuring device that measures the gas concentration of alcohol contained in exhaled breath, an expiratory component measuring assembly, an expiratory component measuring device, and an expiratory component measuring system.

  In recent years, awareness of preventing drunk driving has increased. Passenger car carriers and freight car carriers verify the presence or absence of alcohol by using an alcohol detector before the driver leaves the office and after returning to the office, and record the results. Is desirable. In Japan, it was obliged for passenger car carriers and freight car carriers to record the presence or absence of a driver's drunk. Even when the driver is away from the office, it is desirable to check the presence or absence of alcohol by using an alcohol detector and to transmit data indicating the result to the office.

  There has been proposed an apparatus for detecting the drinking level of a driver based on alcohol contained in the expiration of the driver of the vehicle (for example, Patent Document 1). The alcohol detector disclosed in Patent Literature 1 includes an alcohol concentration sensor that measures the concentration of alcohol gas in the exhaled air flowing from the inlet, and sensor means that detects that the exhaled pressure is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. For example, fraud in drinking tests such as not intentionally blowing exhalation or blowing exhalation on the sensor for a short time is prevented.

JP 2004-245800 A

  However, when a pressure sensor is used as in the alcohol detection device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the pressure sensor has a high possibility of failure when the load is large, and thus the useful life of the product is shortened.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a mouthpiece of an exhalation component measurement device, an exhalation component measurement assembly, an exhalation component measurement device, and an exhalation component measurement system that can confirm that a subject continues exhalation and can extend the useful life of the device. provide.

  The mouthpiece of the breath component measuring apparatus according to the present invention is a mouthpiece attached to the breath component measuring apparatus for measuring the alcohol concentration of the subject's breath, and the breathing port into which the breath of the subject is blown, and the mouthpiece. An exhalation flow path for allowing the exhaled breath to flow into the exhalation component measuring device, and a sound generation unit for generating sound by the exhalation flow.

  The mouthpiece includes a sound generating unit that generates sound by the flow of exhaled air that the subject inhales. When measuring the alcohol concentration of the subject's breath with the breath component measuring apparatus to which the mouthpiece is attached, a sound is generated when the subject blows into the mouthpiece. This sound confirms that the subject continues to exhale. Therefore, even if the subject does not intentionally inhale exhalation or inhales exhalation into the mouthpiece for a short time, no sound is produced from the mouthpiece, and such an illegal act is immediately detected. For example, in the case where alcohol concentration is measured in front of a human eye that monitors or supervises a subject, the subject must continuously breathe into the mouthpiece. Since sound is used to confirm continuation of exhalation, it is not necessary to provide a pressure sensor in the exhalation measuring device. For example, an acoustic measurement device can be used to confirm continuation of exhalation, but its useful life is long compared to the use of a pressure sensor.

  An exhalation component measurement assembly according to the present invention includes the mouthpiece and an exhalation component measurement device to which the mouthpiece is attached, and the exhalation component measurement device receives exhalation from the exhalation flow path of the mouthpiece. A flow path, a gas sensor for measuring alcohol concentration of exhaled breath in the flow path, an acoustic measurement device for measuring an acoustic level of sound generated by the mouthpiece, and an acoustic level measured by the acoustic measurement device. And a control unit that starts measurement of the alcohol concentration using the gas sensor when the threshold value is continuously exceeded for a certain period.

  The exhalation component measuring apparatus according to the present invention is an exhalation component measuring apparatus to which the mouthpiece is attached and which constitutes an exhalation component measuring assembly together with the mouthpiece, wherein exhalation flows from the exhalation flow path of the mouthpiece , A gas sensor that measures the alcohol concentration of the breath in the flow channel, an acoustic measurement device that measures the acoustic level of the sound generated by the mouthpiece, and an acoustic level that is measured by the acoustic measurement device A control unit that starts measurement of alcohol concentration using the gas sensor when the threshold value is continuously exceeded for a certain period.

  In the expiratory component measuring assembly and the expiratory component measuring apparatus according to the present invention, when the sound level of the sound generated by the mouthpiece continuously exceeds a threshold value for a certain period of time, the controller controls the alcohol concentration using the gas sensor. Start measurement. Therefore, when measuring the alcohol concentration, the subject is forced to continuously breathe into the mouthpiece. An acoustic measurement device is used to confirm continuation of exhalation, but its useful life is long compared to the use of a pressure sensor.

  The acoustic measurement device may be disposed in an information processing device that can communicate with the breath component measuring device instead of the breath component measuring device. In this case, the expiration component measurement system according to the present invention includes an expiration component measurement assembly including the mouthpiece, an expiration component measurement device to which the mouthpiece is attached, and an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with the expiration component measurement device. The exhalation component measuring device comprises: a flow channel through which exhaled gas flows from the exhalation flow channel of the mouthpiece; a gas sensor that measures the alcohol concentration of exhalation in the flow channel; and an alcohol concentration using the gas sensor A control unit that starts the measurement of, and the information processing device includes an acoustic measurement device that measures an acoustic level of the sound generated by the mouthpiece, and the control unit of the exhalation component measurement device includes: When the sound level measured by the sound measuring device exceeds the threshold continuously for a certain period, the alcohol concentration is measured using the gas sensor. To start.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the breath component measuring assembly which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 2 (a) is a front view showing the expiratory component measuring device of the expiratory component measuring assembly of FIG. 1, FIG. 2 (b) is a side view thereof, and FIG. 2 (c) is a top view thereof. is there. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mouthpiece of the breath component measuring assembly of FIG. 1, The figure (a) is a top view, The figure (b) is the front view, The figure (c) is the figure. It is a side view, the figure (d) is the back view, and the figure (e) is the bottom view. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 3A, FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 3C, and FIG. It is CC sectional drawing in 3 (c). It is explanatory drawing which shows the internal structure of the expiration component measuring apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. (A) is a block diagram which shows the structure of the whole breath component measuring apparatus which concerns on this embodiment, and the figure (b) is a block diagram which shows the internal module of the control part of a breath component measuring apparatus. FIG. 1A is a conceptual diagram showing an exhalation component measurement system having a portable computer according to this embodiment, and FIG. 1B is an exhalation component measurement having a fixed computer according to this embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows a system. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the information processing terminal which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the expiration component measuring method which concerns on this embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an exhalation component measuring apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an exhalation component measurement assembly 1 according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2A is a front view showing an exhalation component measurement device 10 according to this embodiment, and FIG. Is a side view thereof, and FIG. 8C is a top view thereof. 3 is a top view showing the mouthpiece 30 according to the present embodiment, FIG. 3B is a front view thereof, FIG. 3C is a side view thereof, and FIG. d) is a rear view thereof, and FIG. (e) is a bottom view thereof. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 3A, FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 3C, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG.

  The expiratory component measurement assembly 1 is a device that measures the concentration of alcohol gas that is a detection target gas component contained in the expiratory air of a subject. As shown in FIG. 1, the expiratory component measurement has a casing made of a hard material such as metal or resin. The apparatus 10 and the mouthpiece 30 that is detachably attached to the breath component measuring apparatus 10 and made of a hard material such as resin are configured.

  The exhalation component measurement device 10 of the exhalation component measurement assembly 1 is a device in which a mouthpiece 30 is attached to an end portion thereof, and an exhalation blown into the mouthpiece 30 is acquired and inspected. As shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), a mounting portion for mounting a power switch 12, an input interface 13 such as an operation button, and a mouthpiece 30 for a subject to breathe in is provided outside. 14, a projection 21 provided with an introduction hole for allowing exhalation to flow inside, a measurement result of a detection target gas component contained in exhalation based on a detection result of a gas sensor that measures a gas (alcohol) concentration in the exhalation, and the like For example, a display unit 11a that is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is displayed.

  In the present embodiment, the breath component measuring apparatus 10 is not shown, but includes a communication interface to which a communication cable for connecting to an external device such as the information processing terminal 7 is connected, and a power cord for supplying power from the outside A power input terminal or the like is provided for connection.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, an engagement piece 19 that engages with the mouthpiece 30 is provided on the side surface of the attachment portion 14, and the engagement piece 19 is interposed through the engagement piece 19. Thus, the breath component measuring apparatus 10 and the mouthpiece 30 are connected. The breath component measuring apparatus 10 can incorporate a battery such as a dry battery as a power source and can be carried by a user.

  The mouthpiece 30 is a cylindrical blowing means for the subject to breathe in, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the breathing port 31 for the subject to breathe in and the outlet from which the breath is discharged 32 and an exhalation flow path 33 that is formed between the air inlet 31 and the air outlet 32 and allows the exhaled air blown from the air inlet 31 to pass therethrough. When the mouthpiece 30 is attached to the exhalation component measuring device 10, the exhalation flow channel 33 is provided on the side of the through hole 34 into which the projection 21 of the exhalation component measuring device 10 is fitted and the discharge port 32 side. A partition wall (sound generating unit) 36 that separates the flow of exhaled air passing through 33 and generates sound is formed. By fitting the through hole 34 into the protrusion 21, the exhalation flow path 33 and the introduction hole 21 a formed in the protrusion 21 are communicated with each other. When air flows in from the air inlet 31, the mouthpiece 30 emits a sound similar to a whistle.

  In addition, an engagement hole 37 that is engaged with the engagement piece 19 when attached to the exhalation component measuring device 10 is formed in the outer portion of the mouthpiece 30. When the mouthpiece 30 is attached to the attachment portion 14, the engagement piece 19 of the breath component measuring apparatus 10 is fitted into the engagement hole 37 of the mouthpiece 30, and the mouthpiece 30 is stably supported by the attachment portion 14. The

  As shown in FIG. 5, the internal structure of the exhalation component measuring apparatus 10 includes a gas sensor 15 that measures the alcohol concentration of exhaled air blown into the exhalation flow path 33, and a container that can be expanded and contracted to accumulate exhalation inside. An air barrel 17 and a solenoid 18 that contracts the air barrel 17 and guides the exhaled air inside the air barrel 17 to the gas sensor 15 are provided. In addition, the flow path of the breath inside the breath component measuring apparatus 10 is a flow path 22 for guiding the breath blown from the introduction hole provided in the protrusion 21 to the gas sensor chamber 15a, and a flow path connecting the gas sensor chamber 15a and the air barrel 17. 23. The gas sensor chamber 15a is also a part of the flow path, and the gas sensor 15 is disposed inside the gas sensor chamber 15a.

The gas sensor 15 includes a gas sensitive body, is housed in the gas sensor chamber 15a of the exhalation component measuring apparatus 10, and is a detection unit that detects gas in exhalation. At least a portion of the exhaled air that has been blown into the exhalation flow path contacts the gas sensitive body. In this embodiment, the gas sensor 15 is an electrochemical sensor that has a gas-sensitive body through which an electric current flows when touched with alcohol and detects the alcohol concentration in the gas based on the value of the flowing current. As this electrochemical sensor, for example, when Pt or a Pt alloy is used as an anode and a cathode, sulfuric acid (H ₂ SO ₄ ) is used as an electrolyte, and alcohol molecules are oxidized to a platinum catalyst. Some measure the change in current that occurs.

  The gas sensor 15 only needs to be able to detect the alcohol concentration contained in the exhaled breath. For example, the gas sensor 15 detects the alcohol concentration in the gas based on the electrical resistance that changes due to the reaction between oxygen adsorbed on the metal oxide and the alcohol in the gas. Various types of alcohol sensors such as semiconductor sensors can be employed.

  Inside the expiratory component measuring apparatus 10, an acoustic sensor 16 that is an acoustic measuring apparatus that measures sound generated by expiratory gas passing through the expiratory flow path 33 is provided in the vicinity of the mouthpiece 30. The acoustic sensor 16 measures the acoustic level of the sound generated by the mouthpiece 30 when the exhaled air that has been blown into the mouthpiece 30 passes through the exhalation flow path 33. As the acoustic sensor 16, for example, a microphone that receives sound waves and converts them into electrical signals can be used. The acoustic sensor 16 preferably has high sensitivity to the frequency of sound generated by the mouthpiece 30 and low sensitivity to other frequencies. In this case, even if the ambient noise is large, if the noise frequency is different from the sound frequency of the mouthpiece 30, the sound level of the sound generated by the mouthpiece can be accurately measured.

  The expiratory component measuring device 10 is provided with a control unit 100 such as a CPU on a circuit board. The control unit 100 controls the measurement of the expiratory component, and includes a power switch 12 and operation buttons. The entire breath component measuring apparatus 10 is controlled such as the input of the signal and the output of the display unit 11a.

  Next, functions of the breath component measuring apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 6A is a block diagram illustrating the entire configuration of the breath component measuring apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a block diagram illustrating the internal modules of the control unit 100. The “module” used in the description refers to a functional unit that is configured by hardware such as an apparatus or a device, software having the function, or a combination thereof, and achieves a predetermined operation. .

  The expiration component measuring apparatus 10 includes an input interface 13, an output interface 11, a communication interface 25, a memory 28, and a control unit 100 as a data processing module for measuring the expiration component.

  The input interface 13 is a device that inputs user operations such as operation buttons, a touch panel, and a jog dial. The output interface 11 is a device that outputs video and sound, such as a display and a speaker. In particular, the output interface 11 includes a display unit 11a that is an LCD that displays information such as measurement results of detection target gas components contained in exhaled breath and information such as operation guides based on the detection result of the gas sensor 15.

  The communication interface 25 is a communication interface to which a communication cable is connected, and transmits a measurement result or the like to an information processing terminal connected by the communication cable. Instead of the communication cable, wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) may be used.

  The memory 28 is a storage device for storing various data such as ROM, RAM, and the like. The threshold for the acoustic sensor 16 that determines whether measurement is possible, the threshold for the alcohol concentration value that determines whether driving is possible, and measurement. Information such as results is stored.

  The control unit 100 is an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU, and is a module that virtually constructs each functional module by executing various programs on the control unit 100. In the present embodiment, the control unit 100 includes a drive control unit 102, a display information generation unit 103, a determination unit 104, an exhalation inflow determination unit 101, and an alcohol concentration measurement unit 105.

  The drive control unit 102 is a module that drives each device of the expired air component measurement device 10, and drives the acoustic sensor 16, the gas sensor 15, the display unit 11a, and the like. In particular, the drive control unit 102 drives the solenoid 18 to send the exhaled air in the air barrel 17 to the gas sensor 15 when receiving a signal indicating that the exhalation has been completed from the exhalation inflow determining unit 101, and the gas sensor 15. To detect the alcohol concentration.

  The exhalation inflow determination unit 101 is a module that determines the start of exhalation inflow and the continuation of exhalation based on the detection result of the acoustic sensor 16. Specifically, when the sound level of the sound generated from the mouthpiece 30 exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the exhalation inflow determination unit 101 counts a predetermined time (for example, about 5 seconds) and within that predetermined time. The sound level is continuously detected. When the sound level detected by the exhalation inflow determination unit 101 continuously exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the drive control unit 102 drives the solenoid 18 to push the exhalation in the air barrel 17 back to the gas sensor chamber 15a. . This is because the amount of air necessary for alcohol concentration measurement is obtained in the air barrel 17 by continuing exhalation exceeding a certain pressure. On the other hand, if the sound level falls below the threshold value within a predetermined time even after the spraying is started, the exhalation inflow determination unit 101 displays an error display on the screen of the display unit 11a and an instruction for reinjecting the insufflation. Error processing such as displaying is executed. The subject must continue to exhale for a long time with a deep breath in order to obtain alcohol measurement results.

  The alcohol concentration measurement unit 105 is a module that measures the alcohol concentration, which is a detection target gas component contained in exhaled gas, based on the detection result of the gas sensor 15. Specifically, the drive control unit 102 changes the air in the air barrel 17. Based on the detection result detected when the gas sensor 15 is sent out, the alcohol concentration in the exhalation is calculated. As described above, the alcohol concentration measurement unit 105 starts measuring the alcohol concentration using the gas sensor 15 when the acoustic level measured by the acoustic sensor 16 continuously exceeds a threshold value for a certain period, and in other cases. Does not start the alcohol concentration measurement using the gas sensor 15. Here, “start of alcohol concentration measurement” refers to acquiring the output of the gas sensor 15 and starting calculation of the alcohol concentration. However, the alcohol concentration measuring unit 105 drives the gas sensor 15 when the acoustic level measured by the acoustic sensor 16 continuously exceeds a threshold for a certain period, and does not drive the gas sensor 15 in other cases. Good. In this case, “start of measurement of alcohol concentration” means that the gas sensor 15 starts output.

  The determination unit 104 is a module that determines whether or not the vehicle can be operated based on the alcohol concentration of the detection target gas component calculated by the alcohol concentration measurement unit 105. Specifically, the determination unit 104 compares the calculated alcohol concentration in the exhaled breath with a threshold value stored in the memory 28, and when the calculated alcohol concentration is equal to or less than the threshold value, Judge that driving is possible.

  The display information generation unit 103 is a module that displays various types of information on the display unit 11a. For example, when a signal input by the power switch 12 is acquired, an instruction to start blowing, a message to end blowing, etc. Information on the operation guide, the alcohol concentration contained in the breath detected by the gas sensor 15, the determination result by the determination unit 104, and the like are displayed on the display unit 11a.

Expiratory Component Measuring System Next, an expiratory component measuring system using the above-described expiratory component measuring apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing the breath component measuring system according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the information processing terminal 7 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the exhalation component measurement system of the present invention includes an exhalation component measurement assembly 1 and an information processing terminal electrically connected to the exhalation component measurement device 10 of the exhalation component measurement assembly 1 via a communication cable ( Computer) 7, and information of measurement results measured by the breath component measuring assembly 1 is transmitted to the information processing terminal 7. Instead of the communication cable, wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) may be used.

  The information processing terminal 7 is a computer having an arithmetic processing function by a CPU and a communication processing function by a communication interface, and can be realized by a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer or a tablet PC, or a dedicated device with specialized functions. it can. The information processing terminal 7 may be a mobile computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), a smartphone, or a mobile phone. The information processing terminal 7 is equipped with functions such as a communication function, a digital camera function, an application software execution function, and a GPS function. As shown in FIG. 7A, the information processing terminal 7 may be, for example, a portable terminal 7a owned by a subject who is a driver of a car, or as shown in FIG. For example, it may be a fixed terminal 7b installed at a business office of a passenger car carrier or a trucker. The portable terminal 7a stores and executes an application (measurement result treatment program) for the portable terminal, and the fixed terminal 7b stores an application (measurement result treatment program) for the fixed terminal. And run this. The portable terminal 7a transmits the measurement result and the position information of the terminal 7a to the computer installed in the business office of the business operator via the mobile phone communication network according to the measurement result processing program for the portable terminal. On the other hand, the fixed type terminal 7b stores the measurement result in accordance with the measurement result processing program for the fixed type terminal.

  Next, the internal configuration of the information processing terminal 7 will be described. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the information processing terminal 7. As shown in the drawing, the information processing terminal 7 includes an input interface 72 and an output interface 73 as user interface modules. The input interface 72 is a device that inputs user operations such as operation buttons, a touch panel, and a jog dial. The output interface 73 is a device that outputs video and sound, such as a display and a speaker. In particular, the output interface 73 includes a display unit 73a which is a liquid crystal display, for example.

  Further, the information processing terminal 7 includes a communication interface 71 as a communication module. The communication interface 71 is a module that transmits and receives various data via a communication network such as a mobile phone communication network or an IP network by wireless communication or wired communication. Further, the information processing terminal 7 includes a memory 75 and a digital camera 77. The memory 75 is a storage device for storing various data. In addition to the measurement result treatment program, the memory 75 is associated with personal information such as a subject's name, a telephone number, and a vehicle number being used. It is remembered. The personal information of the subject is associated with identification information for identifying the subject, for example, the subject inputs an ID and a password at the time of measurement, or by reading a recording medium on which identification information such as an IC card is recorded, You may make it recognize a test subject. The digital camera 77 is an image pickup unit that takes an image of the subject, and takes an image of the subject under the control of the application execution unit 74.

  Further, the information processing terminal 7 includes an application execution unit 74 as an application execution module. The application execution unit 74 is a module that executes a general OS or application, and is realized by a CPU or the like. In this embodiment, when the measurement result treatment program is installed, the application execution unit 74 can execute it. In accordance with the measurement result processing program for a portable terminal, the portable terminal 7a has a measurement result, identification information for identifying a subject, and a terminal 7a via a cellular phone communication network on a computer installed at a business office of the operator. Send location information. On the other hand, the fixed type terminal 7b stores the measurement result and identification information for specifying the subject in the memory 75 in accordance with the measurement result processing program for the fixed type terminal.

The application execution unit 74 uses the digital camera 77 to photograph the face of the subject before and after the start of inhalation, using the signal transmitted from the exhalation component measuring device 10 as a trigger. The application execution unit 74 compares image data obtained by photographing the user's face before and after blowing, and determines whether or not the photographed users match. As this process, for example, a face detection process for determining a face area from an image and a face feature point detection process for determining a face feature point position such as an eye, a nose, and a mouth end are performed before and after blowing. The image data is compared, it is determined whether or not the photographed users match, and the degree of coincidence of both images as a comparison result is output. Examples of the output of the degree of coincidence between the two images include generating a warning sound and displaying a message on a display screen when a user is different, and transmitting a message to a predetermined mail address. . The application execution unit 74 displays a contour for the subject to align the face position on the screen of the display unit 73a during the first imaging operation and the second imaging operation, and aligns the face with the contour. It also has an instruction function.
The portable terminal 7a transmits the image data to a computer installed at the business office of the business operator. The fixed terminal 7 b stores the image data in the memory 75.

Expiratory component measurement method The expiratory component measurement method of the present invention can be implemented by operating the expiratory component measurement system described above. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a breath component measurement method according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 9, first, when the subject depresses the power switch 12 (S101), the control unit 100 activates an expiration component measurement program (S102). At this time, the display information generation unit 103 causes the display unit 11a to display a countdown moving image and a standby instruction for a predetermined time (for example, about 5 seconds) until measurement is possible (S103).

  The operation control unit 102 sends the first imaging instruction signal to the information processing terminal 7 (S104). When the information processing terminal 7 receives the first imaging instruction signal (S201), the application execution unit 74 uses the digital camera 77 to capture the face of the subject during the standby time (for example, 5 seconds) when the program is launched. 1 is executed (S202). Thereafter, the display information generation unit 103 of the exhalation component measuring apparatus 10 displays an instruction to spray the mouthpiece 30 on the screen of the display unit 11a for a predetermined time (5 seconds) after the end of the waiting time (S105).

  Then, when the subject blows exhalation using the mouthpiece 30, exhaled air that has been blown from the blowing port 31 passes through the exhalation flow path 33, and exhaled into the exhalation component measuring device 10 through the introduction hole formed in the protrusion 21. Is infused. While exhalation flows into the exhalation component measuring apparatus 10, sound is generated in the mouthpiece 30.

  The exhalation inflow determination unit 101 calculates an acoustic level based on the detection result of the acoustic sensor 16 and monitors the acoustic level. First, the exhalation inflow determination unit 101 determines whether the sound level detected from the sound sensor 16 exceeds a predetermined threshold (S108). If the sound level does not exceed the threshold (“N” in S108), the process waits until the sound level exceeds the threshold.

  On the other hand, when the sound level exceeds the threshold (“Y” in S108), the exhalation inflow determination unit 101 counts a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) from the start of measurement (S109), and within the predetermined time In step S110, it is determined whether or not the acoustic level detected by the acoustic sensor 16 continuously exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

  The exhalation inflow determination unit 101 determines that the alcohol concentration cannot be measured when the sound level does not continuously exceed the threshold ("N" in S110). The information is input to the display information generation unit 103, and the display information generation unit 103 displays an error display and an instruction for redoing on the screen of the display unit 11a (S119).

  On the other hand, when the acoustic level detected by the acoustic sensor 16 continues to exceed the predetermined threshold value (“Y” in S110), the operation control unit 102 drives the solenoid 18 so that the inside of the air barrel 17 Is sent to the gas sensor 15 side (S111).

  After the pressure exceeding the threshold value is continuously measured, the expired air in the air barrel 17 is returned to the gas sensor 15, whereby a sufficient amount of expired air for alcohol measurement by the gas sensor can be obtained from the subject. The subject must continue to exhale for a long time with a deep breath in order to obtain alcohol measurement results. Even if the subject supplies a small amount of exhaled breath to the exhalation component measuring apparatus 10 and obtains a measurement result indicating a low alcohol concentration, the reinjection is instructed.

  The alcohol concentration measurement unit 105 measures (analyzes) the alcohol concentration, which is a detection target gas component contained in exhaled air, based on the detection result of the gas sensor 15 (S113). At this time, the operation control unit 102 controls the output interface 11 to instruct the subject to end the breath blowing. Further, the operation control unit 102 transmits the second imaging instruction signal to the information processing terminal 7 (S113). When the information processing terminal 7 receives the second imaging instruction signal (S203), the application execution unit 74 executes a second imaging operation for imaging the subject with the digital camera 77 after the alcohol concentration measurement is completed (S204). .

  Thereafter, the image comparison unit 74a compares the image data of the subject imaged by the first imaging operation and the second imaging operation (that is, the first still image data and the second still image data), and the face It is determined whether or not the users of both image data match by the recognition process (S205). If the users of the image data do not match (“N” in S205), error processing is executed (S206). In the error processing, the image comparison unit 74a generates data indicating that the users of both images do not match.

  In the breath component measuring apparatus 10, when the alcohol concentration measuring unit 105 finishes measuring (analyzing) the alcohol concentration of the detection target gas component, information on the alcohol concentration that is the measurement result is input to the determining unit 104. The calculated alcohol concentration is compared with a predetermined threshold value (S115). When the alcohol concentration in the exhalation exceeds the threshold value (“Y” in S115), the determination unit 104 determines that driving is not possible, and the display information generation unit 103 drives on the screen of the display unit 11a. It is displayed that it is impossible (S116). At this time, the alcohol concentration measurement value may be displayed on the screen of the display unit 11a. On the other hand, when the alcohol concentration is equal to or lower than the threshold value (“N” in S115), the determination unit 104 determines that driving is possible, and the display information generation unit 103 displays that driving is possible. (S117). At this time, the alcohol concentration measurement value may be displayed on the screen of the display unit 11a.

  Thereafter, the breath component measuring apparatus 10 transmits information on the measurement result to the information processing terminal 7 via the communication interface 25 (S118). When receiving the measurement result information (S208), the information processing terminal 7 stores or transmits the measurement result and image data of two captured images (S209). Specifically, if the information processing terminal 7 is the fixed terminal 7b, the application execution unit 74 of the fixed terminal 7b stores the measurement result, the image data, the measurement date / time data, and the data indicating the subject's name in the memory 75. Save in. When the error process of step S206 is performed (when the users of the two imaging operations do not match), the application execution unit 74 of the fixed terminal 7b also includes data indicating that the users do not match. Save in the memory 75. The fixed terminal 7b may display the measurement result information on the screen of the display unit 73a. If the information processing terminal 7 is a portable terminal 7a, the application execution unit 74 of the portable terminal 7a uses the communication interface 71 to obtain measurement results, image data, measurement date / time data, and data indicating the subject's name. The signal to represent is transmitted wirelessly to a computer installed at the business office of the business. When the error processing of step S206 is performed (when the users of the two imaging operations do not match), the application execution unit 74 of the portable terminal 7a receives data indicating that the users do not match. The report is also transmitted wirelessly to a computer installed at the business office of the operator. In this embodiment, when the users of the images obtained by the first imaging operation and the second imaging operation do not match, the users of both images are displayed on the fixed terminal 7b of the business office of the business operator. Data indicating that does not match is stored. Alternatively, a report indicating that the users of both images do not match is transmitted to the business office of the business. The staff of the operator's sales office knows that the subject has been changed before and after exhalation. In other words, the staff of the business office of the business operator can know the existence of an unreliable subject who has performed an illegal act.

  In the present embodiment, the expiration component measurement device 10 determines whether or not the vehicle can be operated and displays the result or the like on the expiration component measurement device 10, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the alcohol concentration measurement result is displayed as an information processing terminal. 7, the information processing terminal 7 side may determine whether or not driving is possible, and the display unit 73 a on the information processing terminal 7 side may display the determination result regarding whether or not driving is possible.

  When the users of the images obtained by the first imaging operation and the second imaging operation do not match, the information processing terminal 7 may transmit an error signal to the breath component measuring apparatus 10, and this error In the breath component measuring apparatus 10 that has received the signal, the control unit 100 may display a warning on the display unit 11a, and may instruct the subject to breathe in again by the display unit 11a to restart alcohol measurement. That is, the information processing terminal 7 may transmit an error signal for prompting the subject to measure the alcohol again in the breath component measuring apparatus 10 to the breath component measuring apparatus 10. In addition, the breath component measuring apparatus 10 that has received this error signal may generate a warning sound. Even when the measurement is re-executed, the information processing terminal 7 may store or transmit data indicating that the user has previously not matched.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the face of the subject is photographed by the digital camera 77 provided in the information processing terminal 7. For example, the breath component measuring apparatus 10 includes a camera, and the breath component measuring apparatus 10 uses the subject's face. You may shoot a face.

  As described above, according to the embodiment, sound is generated when the subject blows into the mouthpiece. This sound confirms that the subject continues to exhale. Therefore, even if the subject does not intentionally inhale exhalation or inhales exhalation into the mouthpiece for a short time, no sound is produced from the mouthpiece, and such an illegal act is immediately detected. For example, in the case where alcohol concentration is measured in front of a human eye that monitors or supervises a subject, the subject must continuously breathe into the mouthpiece. Since sound is used to confirm continuation of exhalation, it is not necessary to provide a pressure sensor in the exhalation measuring device. In the embodiment, the acoustic sensor 16 is used for confirming the continuation of exhalation. However, when the alcohol concentration is measured in front of the human eye monitoring or supervising the subject, the acoustic sensor 16 is used. Is not always necessary. In addition, when performing measurements in front of human eyes that are monitored or supervised without using an acoustic sensor, it is desirable to make the sound generated from the mouthpiece audible, but when using an acoustic sensor, Not only an audible sound but a sound in a range that can be sensed by an acoustic sensor may be generated.

  In the breath component measuring apparatus 10 according to the embodiment, the control unit starts measuring the alcohol concentration using the gas sensor when the sound level of the sound generated by the mouthpiece exceeds the threshold continuously for a certain period. To do. Therefore, when measuring the alcohol concentration, the subject is forced to continuously breathe into the mouthpiece. The acoustic sensor 16 is used for confirming continuation of exhalation, but its useful life is long compared to the use of a pressure sensor.

In the embodiment described above, the acoustic sensor 16 is mounted on the breath component measuring apparatus 10, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the information processing apparatus is an information processing apparatus that can communicate with the breath component measuring apparatus 10. You may mount in the terminal 7. FIG. Next, a modification in which the acoustic sensor is mounted on the information processing terminal 7 will be described.

  In this modified example, the application execution unit 74 calculates the sound level based on the detection result of the sound sensor, and monitors the sound level. The application execution unit 74 determines the start of the inflow of exhalation and the continuation of exhalation based on the detection result of the acoustic sensor. When the sound level of the sound generated from the mouthpiece 30 exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the application execution unit 74 continuously counts the sound level within the predetermined time while counting the predetermined time (for example, about 5 seconds). To detect.

  If the sound level above the threshold does not continue for a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) or more, the application execution unit 74 determines that the insufflation is insufficient for detecting the alcohol concentration in the expiration, and displays the sound level. On the screen of the unit 73a, information indicating that measurement is impossible and information for instructing the subject to reblow are displayed again. Instead of or in addition to this, the application execution unit 74 transmits an error signal to the exhalation component measurement device 10, and when the exhalation component measurement device 10 receives the error signal, the control unit 100 issues a warning to the display unit 11a. It may be displayed, and the subject may be instructed to breathe in again by the display unit 11a, and alcohol measurement may be performed again. That is, the information processing terminal 7 may transmit an error signal for prompting the subject to measure the alcohol again in the breath component measuring apparatus 10 to the breath component measuring apparatus 10. On the other hand, when the sound level equal to or higher than the threshold value continues for a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds), the application execution unit 74 sends a signal for driving the solenoid to the expiratory component measuring apparatus 10. Upon acquiring this signal, the drive control unit 102 of the exhalation component measuring device 10 drives the solenoid 18 to push the exhalation in the air barrel 17 back to the gas sensor 15 and to drive the gas sensor 15 to detect the alcohol concentration in the exhalation. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Expiratory-component measurement assembly, 7 ... Information processing terminal, 10 ... Expiratory-component measuring apparatus, 11 ... Output interface, 11a ... Display part, 12 ... Power switch, 13 ... Input interface, 13a ... Display part 14 ...... Mounting part 15 ...... Gas sensor 15 ...... Gas sensor 16 ...... Acoustic sensor 17 …… Air barrel 18 solenoid 19 ...... Engagement piece 21 ...... Projection 22 23 …… Flow path, 25 …… Communication interface, 28 …… Memory, 30 …… Mouthpiece, 31 …… Blow-in port, 32 …… Exhaust port, 33 …… Exhalation flow path, 34 …… Through hole, 35… ... resonance part, 36 ... partition wall (sound generating part), 37 ... engagement hole, 71 ... communication interface, 72 ... input interface, 73 ... output interface, 73a ... display part, 7 ...... Application execution unit, 75 ... Memory, 100 ... Control unit, 101 ... Exhalation inflow determination unit, 102 ... Driving control unit, 103 ... Display information generation unit, 104 ... Determination unit, 105 ... Alcohol Concentration measurement unit

Claims (6)

A mouthpiece comprising a blow-in port through which a subject's exhalation is blown in, an exhalation flow path through which exhaled breath blown from the blow-in port flows into the exhalation component measuring device, and a sound generation unit that generates sound by the flow of the exhalation,
A breathing component measuring device to which the mouthpiece is attached;
The exhalation component measuring device comprises:
A flow path through which exhaled air flows from the exhalation flow path of the mouthpiece;
A gas sensor for measuring the alcohol concentration of exhaled breath in the flow path;
An acoustic measuring device for measuring the acoustic level of the sound generated by the mouthpiece;
A breath component measurement assembly comprising: a controller that starts measurement of an alcohol concentration using the gas sensor when the sound level measured by the sound measurement device continuously exceeds a threshold value for a certain period of time. The exhalation component measuring device includes an air barrel that is an inflatable / shrinkable container that accumulates exhaled air flowing into the flow path,
A gas sensor chamber provided in the middle of the flow path, in which the gas sensor is disposed;
And further comprising a solenoid that contracts the air barrel and guides the breath inside the air barrel to the gas sensor chamber,
The control unit of the exhalation component measuring device drives the solenoid when the sound level measured by the sound measuring device continuously exceeds a threshold value for a certain period of time, and the exhalation inside the air barrel is detected by the gas sensor. 2. The breath component measuring assembly according to claim 1, wherein the breath component measuring assembly is pushed back into the chamber. A mouthpiece is provided that includes an inlet through which a subject's exhalation is blown in, an exhalation flow path through which exhaled air blown from the inhaling port flows into an exhalation component measuring device, and a sound generator that generates sound by the exhalation flow An exhalation component measuring device which constitutes an exhalation component measuring assembly together with the mouthpiece,
A flow path through which exhaled air flows from the exhalation flow path of the mouthpiece;
A gas sensor for measuring the alcohol concentration of exhaled breath in the flow path;
An acoustic measuring device for measuring the acoustic level of the sound generated by the mouthpiece;
A breath component measuring apparatus, comprising: a controller that starts measurement of an alcohol concentration using the gas sensor when an acoustic level measured by the acoustic measurement apparatus continuously exceeds a threshold value for a certain period. An air barrel which is an inflatable / shrinkable container that accumulates exhaled air flowing into the flow path;
A gas sensor chamber provided in the middle of the flow path, in which the gas sensor is disposed;
And further comprising a solenoid that contracts the air barrel and guides the breath inside the air barrel to the gas sensor chamber,
The control unit drives the solenoid to push the breath inside the air barrel back to the gas sensor chamber when the sound level measured by the sound measurement device continuously exceeds a threshold value for a certain period. The exhalation component measuring apparatus according to claim 3. A mouthpiece comprising a blow-in port through which a subject's exhalation is blown in, an exhalation flow path through which exhaled breath blown from the blow-in port flows into the exhalation component measuring device, and a sound generation unit that generates sound by the flow of the exhalation, An exhalation component measurement assembly comprising an exhalation component measurement device to which the mouthpiece is attached;
An information processing device capable of communicating with the breath component measuring device;
The exhalation component measuring device comprises:
A flow path through which exhaled air flows from the exhalation flow path of the mouthpiece;
A gas sensor for measuring the alcohol concentration of exhaled breath in the flow path;
A controller for starting measurement of alcohol concentration using the gas sensor,
The information processing apparatus includes an acoustic measurement device that measures an acoustic level of sound generated by the mouthpiece,
The controller of the breath component measuring device starts measuring alcohol concentration using the gas sensor when the sound level measured by the sound measuring device exceeds a threshold continuously for a certain period of time. A breath component measurement system. The exhalation component measuring device includes an air barrel that is an inflatable / shrinkable container that accumulates exhaled air flowing into the flow path,
A gas sensor chamber provided in the middle of the flow path, in which the gas sensor is disposed;
And further comprising a solenoid that contracts the air barrel and guides the breath inside the air barrel to the gas sensor chamber,
The control unit of the exhalation component measuring device drives the solenoid when the sound level measured by the sound measuring device continuously exceeds a threshold value for a certain period of time, and the exhalation inside the air barrel is detected by the gas sensor. The breath component measurement system according to claim 5, wherein the breath component measurement system is pushed back into the chamber.

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