US4177668A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for determining the alcoholic content in the blood
Assignee: NILSSON RUNE BJERSVED
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Filing: 1978-05-02
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Granted: 1979-12-11
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Expires: 1998-05-02
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for determining the alcoholic content in blood. A sensor receives exhaled air from a person being tested and produces a signal which is sent to at least two comparator devices for comparing the output signal with at least two preset reference values. A logic circuitry of TTL elements is connected to the output of the comparator device and is arranged in conjunction with three light emitting diodes to actuate at least one light emitting diode based upon the result of the comparison to thereby indicate the alcoholic content. A first light emitting diode is actuated when the output is below the first reference value, the first light is extinguished and the second light is ignited when the output is between the first and second reference values, and the third light is ignited and the second is extinguished when the output exceeds the second reference value.
Inventors
- 👤 Lars-Erik Holmberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 05:24
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/48; G01N33/483; G01N33/497; G01N33/4972
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
An apparatus for determing the alcoholic content in blood, comprising a sensor disposed to produce a signal in response to the alcoholic content of exhaled air to which it is exposed from a test person, and at least two comparator devices for comparing said output signal with at least two preset reference values, a logic circuitry of TTL elements connected to the output of the comparator devices is arranged to actuate at least one light emitting diode of a plurality of light emitting diodes, said actuated light emitting diode being determined by the result of said comparison for indicating the alcoholic content, said logic circuitry comprising two SR flip-flops with inverted inputs, each of said flip-flops being composed of two NAND gates which are connected to three light emitting diodes in such a manner that a first light emitting diode is actuated when the output signal from the sensor is below the first reference value, the first light emitting diode is extinguished and the second light emitting diode is ignited when the output signal is between the first and second reference value, and the third light emitting diode is ignited and the second is extinguished when the output signal exceeds the second reference value.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
204 words
An apparatus for determing the alcoholic content in blood, comprising a sensor disposed to produce a signal in response to the alcoholic content of exhaled air to which it is exposed from a test person, and at least two comparator devices for comparing said output signal with at least two preset reference values, a logic circuitry of TTL elements connected to the output of the comparator devices is arranged to actuate at least one light emitting diode of a plurality of light emitting diodes, said actuated light emitting diode being determined by the result of said comparison for indicating the alcoholic content, said logic circuitry comprising two SR flip-flops with inverted inputs, each of said flip-flops being composed of two NAND gates which are connected to three light emitting diodes in such a manner that a first light emitting diode is actuated when the output signal from the sensor is below the first reference value, the first light emitting diode is extinguished and the second light emitting diode is ignited when the output signal is between the first and second reference value, and the third light emitting diode is ignited and the second is extinguished when the output signal exceeds the second reference value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the complete logic circuitry is realized by means of one integrated circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the logic circuitry drives the light emitting diodes directly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a voltage source is adapted to supply simultaneously the necessary feeding voltages to the sensor, the comparator devices, the logic circuitry, and the light emitting diodes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the reference voltages required for the comparator devices are taken from a voltage source and are supplied to the comparator devices via voltage dividing resistors and potentiometers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the apparatus is adapted to be calibrated by variation of the value of at least certain voltage dividing resistors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the voltage supply is performed via a regulating circuit connected to the voltage source, said regulating circuit being adapted to supply a constant output voltage, independent of the condition of the batteries.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that a first control circuit is disposed to sense the output voltage from the regulating circuit and indicate when said voltage has decreased below a predetermined level.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that each one of the control circuits comprises a comparator device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the reference voltages are adjusted so that the first reference value corresponds to an alcoholic content in the blood of 0.03% and the second reference value an alcoholic content of 0.05%.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the sensor is a gas sensor, the resistance of which is responsive to the alcoholic content in the exhaled air, to which it is exposed, and in that output signals from the sensors are obtainable across a resistor connected in series with the sensor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 11 characterized in that the resistor connected in series with the sensor is a potentiometer, which is so arranged that the apparatus can be calibrated by means of said potentiometer alone.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that a second control circuit is disposed to indicate when the sensor has been heated to operating temperature.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that all comparator devices are comparators and in that they are formed by one integrated circuit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3877291A
Cited
US3823601A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-12-10 | 1983-06-11 | 1983-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-12-10 | 1987-06-11 | 1987-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-12-10 | 1991-06-11 | 1991-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |