US5220919A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Blood alcohol monitor
Assignee: Safety Technology Partners Ltd
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Filing: 1991-08-23
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Granted: 1993-06-22
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Expires: 2011-08-23
Abstract
Abstract A device which measures ethanol levels expelled through a subject's skin to monitor blood alcohol level at regular or random intervals. The device differentiates between a positive reading caused by an external, interferant, source of ethanol and a positive reading caused by consumption of alcohol. The device is attached to the subject by a secure conductive strap which provides an indication that the device remains attached to the subject. The device monitors the skin temperature of the subject prior to performing the alcohol test to provide an indication of a barrier being placed between the device and the subject's skin. The device measures the distance from the subject's skin, thereby preventing the subject from moving the device far enough away to provide an inaccurate indication of the amount of alcohol in the subject's blood and providing another tamper indication if the device is removed.
Inventors
- 👤 Mary F. Phillips
- 👤 Jeffrey S. Hawthorne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 06:23
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/48; G01N33/483; G01N33/497; G01N33/4972; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/903; Y10T; Y10T436/00; Y10T436/20; Y10T436/203332; Y10T436/204165
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A portable monitor for sensing blood alcohol levels in a human subject comprising: alcohol measuring means for measuring a percentage of alcohol contained in a gas within a predetermined distance from the human subject's skin to create a percentage measurement; timer means for activating said alcohol measuring means at predetermined time intervals to cause aid alcohol measuring means to create a plurality of percentage measurements at said predetermined time intervals; storage means for storing said plurality of percentage measurements; securing means for portably and securely attaching said measuring means to the human subject; detection means for detecting when said blood alcohol monitor is removed form the human subject; and communication means for communicating said stored percentage measurements and detection results to a monitor station.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A portable monitor for sensing blood alcohol levels in a human subject comprising: alcohol measuring means for measuring a percentage of alcohol contained in a gas within a predetermined distance from the human subject's skin to create a percentage measurement; timer means for activating said alcohol measuring means at predetermined time intervals to cause aid alcohol measuring means to create a plurality of percentage measurements at said predetermined time intervals; storage means for storing said plurality of percentage measurements; securing means for portably and securely attaching said measuring means to the human subject; detection means for detecting when said blood alcohol monitor is removed form the human subject; and communication means for communicating said stored percentage measurements and detection results to a monitor station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The portable blood alcohol monitor of claim 1 wherein said detection means comprises: an electrical conductor within said securing means; means for causing an electrical current to be conducted through said electrical conductor; and means for detecting an absence of electrical current in said electrical conductor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The portable blood alcohol monitor of claim 1 wherein said detection means comprises: distance measurement means for measuring the distance said blood alcohol monitor is located from the human subject; means for detecting a predetermined excessive distance between said monitor and said human subject; and means for storing and transmitting to said monitor station an indication of excessive distance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
The portable blood alcohol monitor of claim 1 wherein said detection means comprises: temperature measurement means for measuring the human subject's skin temperature at a predetermined distance from a point where said blood alcohol monitor is attached to the human subject; means for detecting that said human subject's skin temperature is outside a predetermined range of temperatures; and means for storing and transmitting to said monitor station an indication of exceeding said range of temperatures.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The portable blood alcohol monitor of claim 1 wherein said communication means comprises serial data transmission means for sending said percentage of alcohol measurement and said detection results to said monitor station.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The portable blood alcohol monitor of claim 1 wherein said alcohol measurement means comprises a fuel cell.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The portable blood alcohol monitor of claim 1 wherein said timer means further comprises means for activating said alcohol measurement means at periodic intervals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The portable blood alcohol monitor of claim 1 wherein said timer means further comprises means for activating said alcohol measurement means at random intervals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The portable blood alcohol monitor of claim 1 wherein said communication means further comprises base system means for connecting to said blood alcohol monitor to retrieve said percentage of alcohol measured and said detection results for forwarding to said monitor station.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The portable blood alcohol monitor of claim 1 further comprising means for receiving data and machine instructions through said communication means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The portable blood alcohol monitor of claim 10 wherein said machine instructions comprise operating software for said monitor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
The portable blood alcohol monitor of claim 1 wherein said alcohol measuring means further comprises means for determining that said percentage of alcohol exceeds a predetermined range and further wherein said communication means further comprises means for communicating said percentage of alcohol measured only when said percentage of alcohol measured exceeds a predetermined range of percentages.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
The portable blood alcohol monitor of claim 12 wherein said alcohol measuring means further comprises means for determining that an interferant caused said predetermined range to be exceeded and further wherein said communication means further comprises means for sending an interferant indicator when said alcohol measurement means determines that an interferant caused said predetermined range to be exceeded.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for monitoring the percentage of blood alcohol content of a human subject, said method comprising the steps of: (a) securely attaching an alcohol measurement device to the human subject using an attachment device; (b) storing an error indication if the human subject tampers with said measurement device or an error occurs within said measurement device; (c) measuring a percentage of alcohol expelled through the subject's skin into said measurement device and storing a measurement result; (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) until a predetermined amount of time expires; (e) transmitting each of said measurement results and each of said tamper and error indications to said monitoring station; and (f) repeating steps (b) through (e).
Claim 16
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for monitoring the percentage of blood alcohol content of a human subject, said method comprising the steps of: (a) securely attaching an alcohol measurement device to the human subject using an attachment device; (b) storing an error indication if the human subject tampers with said measurement device or an error occurs within said measurement device; (c) measuring a percentage of alcohol expelled through the subject's skin into said measurement device and storing a measurement result; (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) until a predetermined amount of time expires; (e) transmitting each of said measurement results and each of said tamper and error indications to said monitoring station; and (f) repeating steps (b) through (e).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 14 including the step of waiting a first predetermined amount of time prior to step (c), and storing an error indication according to step (b) during said first predetermined amount of time.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said first predetermined amount of time is a variable time interval.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 14 wherein step (b) further comprises the steps of: (b1) determining if a temperature measurement of the human subject's skin is within a predetermined range of temperatures; and (b2) if said temperature is outside said predetermined range, sending said error indication.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 14 wherein step (b) further comprises the steps of: (b1) measuring a distance between said measurement device and the human subject's skin; and (b2) if said distance is outside a predetermined range, sending said error indication.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 14 wherein step (c) further comprises the step of: (c1) if a change in said percentage of alcohol exceeds a predetermined increase rate during a predetermined time period, storing an interferant indication.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 19 wherein step (c) further comprises the step of: (c2) transmitting said interferant indication to said monitor station.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 14 wherein step (c) further comprises the step of: (c1) if a change in said percentage of alcohol exceeds a predetermined decrease rate during a predetermined time period, storing an interferant indication.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 21 wherein step (c) further comprises the step of: (c2) transmitting said interferent indication to said monitor station.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 14 wherein step (d) further comprises the step of: (d1) transmitting any diagnostic errors to said monitor station.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
96 words
A portable monitor for sensing blood alcohol levels in a human subject comprising: alcohol measuring means for measuring a percentage of alcohol contained in a gas within a predetermined distance form the human subject to create a percentage measurement; timer means for activating said alcohol measuring means at predetermined time intervals to cause said alcohol measuring means to create a plurality of percentage measurements at said predetermined time intervals; storage means for storing said plurality of percentage measurements; and securing means for securing said alcohol measuring means within a selected distance from the human subject's skin.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
96 words
A portable monitor for sensing blood alcohol levels in a human subject comprising: alcohol measuring means for measuring a percentage of alcohol contained in a gas within a predetermined distance form the human subject to create a percentage measurement; timer means for activating said alcohol measuring means at predetermined time intervals to cause said alcohol measuring means to create a plurality of percentage measurements at said predetermined time intervals; storage means for storing said plurality of percentage measurements; and securing means for securing said alcohol measuring means within a selected distance from the human subject's skin.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
A portable monitor according to claim 24, wherein detection means is provided for detecting when said alcohol measuring means is greater than the selected distance from the human subject.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
A portable monitor according to claim 24, wherein communication means is provided for communicating said stored percentage measurements and distance measurements to another monitor.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
A portable monitor according to claim 26, wherein a means is provided at said other monitor to receive said percentage measurements and distance measurements from said communication means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-06-21 | 1996-12-21 | 1997-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-06-21 | 2000-12-21 | 2001-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-06-21 | 2004-12-21 | 2005-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |