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KR-102963347-B1 - METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSDERMAL ALCOHOL MONITORING

KR102963347B1KR 102963347 B1KR102963347 B1KR 102963347B1KR-102963347-B1

Abstract

A transdermal alcohol measurement device is disclosed. The transdermal alcohol measurement device of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a body forming an opening on a first surface that contacts the skin; a humidity sensor and an alcohol sensor provided inside the opening; an opening/closing unit for opening or closing the opening; and a control unit for controlling the opening/closing unit to close the opening when the measurement value of the humidity sensor or the alcohol sensor is greater than or equal to a threshold value. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a transdermal alcohol measurement device and a control method thereof that prevents failure of the alcohol sensor due to a high humidity environment and high concentration of alcohol components, while enabling continuous measurement of alcohol components on the skin without special effort (action) by the user, and preventing blockage of the opening through which alcohol components enter.

Inventors

  • 최정수

Assignees

  • 주식회사 멜퍼

Dates

Publication Date
20260511
Application Date
20230324

Claims (9)

  1. A body forming an opening on a first surface that contacts the skin; A humidity sensor and an alcohol sensor provided inside the above opening; An opening/closing part for opening or closing the above opening; and It includes a control unit that controls the opening/closing part to close the opening when the measured value of the humidity sensor or the alcohol sensor is greater than or equal to a threshold value, The above control unit is, When the measured value of the humidity sensor is greater than or equal to the critical humidity value, the opening/closing part closes the opening and switches the humidity sensor and the alcohol sensor to standby mode for a first standby time, and A transdermal alcohol measurement device, wherein if the measurement value of the humidity sensor is less than the threshold humidity value and the measurement value of the alcohol sensor is greater than or equal to the threshold alcohol value, the opening/closing part closes the opening and the alcohol sensor switches to a standby mode for a second standby time.
  2. In paragraph 1, A transdermal alcohol measurement device characterized by having a filter provided in the opening to block the inflow of liquids and solids through the opening.
  3. In paragraph 1, A transdermal alcohol measurement device characterized by including an attachment member that is coupled to the body and maintains the first surface in contact with the skin.
  4. In paragraph 1, A transdermal alcohol measurement device characterized by having an output unit formed on the second surface of the above body to output the measurement value of the alcohol sensor.
  5. In paragraph 1, The above opening and closing part is, A door slidably coupled to the above body; An actuator for sliding the above door; and A transdermal alcohol measurement device characterized by including an opening/closing sensor that detects the opening and closing of the above-mentioned opening.
  6. As a control method for a transdermal alcohol measurement device, The above-mentioned transdermal alcohol measurement device is, A body forming an opening on a first surface in contact with the skin, and It includes a humidity sensor and an alcohol sensor provided inside the above opening, a) a step of opening the above opening and operating the humidity sensor; and b) includes a step of determining whether the measured value of the humidity sensor is greater than or equal to a critical humidity value, and The alcohol sensor operates when the measured value of the humidity sensor is less than the critical humidity value, and The above-described transdermal alcohol measurement device includes an opening/closing part that opens or closes the opening, and When the measured value of the humidity sensor is greater than or equal to the critical humidity value, the opening/closing part closes the opening, and the humidity sensor and the alcohol sensor switch to a standby mode for a first standby time, and then the step a) is performed again. The method includes a step of determining whether the measured value of the alcohol sensor is greater than or equal to a threshold alcohol value, and The method is characterized by repeating step a) when the measured value of the alcohol sensor is less than the threshold alcohol value. The above-described transdermal alcohol measurement device includes an opening/closing part that opens or closes the opening, and A control method for a transdermal alcohol measurement device characterized by, when the measured value of the alcohol sensor is greater than or equal to a threshold alcohol value, the opening/closing part closes the opening and the alcohol sensor switches to a standby mode for a second standby time, and then repeats step a).
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Description

Method and apparatus for transdermal alcohol monitoring The present invention relates to a transdermal alcohol measurement device and a method for controlling the same, and more specifically, to a transdermal alcohol measurement device configured to measure blood alcohol concentration through the skin and a method for controlling the same. Drunk driving refers not only to driving after drinking alcohol, but also to driving while intoxicated. Driving under the influence of alcohol impairs driving ability and has physical effects, which restricts vision and reduces judgment, thereby increasing the likelihood of traffic accidents. It has been revealed through various behavioral experiments that a blood alcohol concentration of 0.03% or higher, which is the current standard for judging drunk driving, has a sufficient causal relationship with a lack of concentration, reduced judgment, loss of self-control, and heightened emotions. Bus and taxi companies have an obligation to monitor whether their drivers are intoxicated. However, the number of drunk driving accidents involving drivers is not decreasing. Meanwhile, as penalties for drunk driving are being strengthened, the number of self-driving drivers who check their blood alcohol concentration using portable breathalyzers before driving is also increasing. In this regard, Korean Patent Publication No. 2003-0075790 (hereinafter referred to as the 'prior art') discloses a wristwatch equipped with an alcohol breathalyzer. The wristwatch of the prior art is characterized by having a sensor receiving portion for detecting alcohol concentration, an air inlet for air intake at the end of the sensor receiving portion, a filter screen for blocking moisture on the outside of the air inlet, an alcohol concentration detection sensor formed inside the sensor receiving portion to measure the alcohol concentration of air introduced through the filter screen and the air inlet, and a flow port formed on the other side of the sensor receiving portion for air outflow after passing through the alcohol concentration detection sensor. The wristwatch of the prior art is used as follows. First, the user presses the "on" button installed on the operating part of the wristwatch to perform an alcohol test. Subsequently, when a message indicating that the alcohol test is ready appears on the display, the user blows air into the air inlet of the sensor receiving part. The alcohol concentration detection sensor measures the alcohol in the breath, and the alcohol level on the display and the corresponding LED light up. However, to measure alcohol consumption using the wristwatch of the prior art, there is the inconvenience of having to press the on button installed on the operating part formed on the wristwatch, check the alcohol measurement preparation completion message on the display, blow air into the air inlet of the sensor receiving part, and then check through the output of the display whether the alcohol concentration detection sensor has properly measured alcohol from the breath. In addition, the wristwatch of the prior art has a problem in that it is difficult to accurately blow air into the air inlet because the air inlet of the sensor housing is very small. When sensors are exposed to high humidity environments, their lifespan can be rapidly shortened due to corrosion and other factors. However, the wristwatches in the prior art have air inlets and outlets that are always open to the atmosphere, allowing air to continuously flow in and out. Consequently, the alcohol concentration detection sensor is continuously exposed to moisture in the air (especially during the summer), which rapidly shortens its lifespan and leads to malfunctions or damage within a short period of time. In addition, the wristwatch of the prior art has a structure in which the air inlet is always exposed to the atmosphere, which causes the air inlet to easily become clogged by external foreign substances such as dust, saliva, and sweat. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the usage state of a transdermal alcohol measurement device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a drawing showing the first surface of the body of the transdermal alcohol measuring device of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the closed state of the opening of the transdermal alcohol measuring device of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the open state of the opening of the transdermal alcohol measuring device of Figure 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control method for a transdermal alcohol measurement device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, in describing the present invention, descriptions of already known functions or configurations will be omitted in order to clarify the gist of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram s