IP Library Granted Patent US 9,329,167
Granted Patent B2
US 9,329,167 · App. 14/878,990 · Granted May 3, 2016

Replaceable alcohol sensor module

Inventor: Matthew Hogyun Son (Palisades Park, NJ)
Assignee: AK GLOBALTECH CORP.
G01N33/4972
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,329,167
App. No.
14/878,990
Granted
May 3, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A replaceable alcohol sensor module for use with a breathalyzer. The alcohol sensor module requiring calibration can be removed from the body of the breathalyzer and replaced with a new alcohol sensor module. The replaceable alcohol sensor module has at least an alcohol sensor and an adapter that removably connects the replaceable sensor module to the breathalyzer. The adapter transmits the electrical current generated by the alcohol sensor to a processor of the breathalyzer for processing. The alcohol sensor and the adapter are mounted on a printed circuit board to provide the replaceable sensor module.

Claims (23)

1. A replaceable alcohol sensor module for use with a breathalyzer comprising:

an alcohol sensor that is calibrated to provide an electrical current proportional to an amount of alcohol detected in a breath sample;

an adapter to removably connect the replaceable sensor module to the breathalyzer and to transmit the electrical current generated by the alcohol sensor to a processor of the breathalyzer for processing, the processor measures the electrical current and calculates a blood alcohol concentration of the breath sample based on the measured electrical current;

a printed circuit board to mount the alcohol sensor and the adapter; and

wherein the replaceable alcohol sensor module is installable in the breathalyzer to replace existing replaceable alcohol sensor module in the breathalyzer after being used for a predetermined number of times.

2. The replaceable alcohol sensor module of claim 1 , further comprising a non-volatile memory unit to store information to maintain the alcohol sensor in a calibrated state.

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

4. The replaceable alcohol sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the alcohol sensor is a fuel cell sensor.

5. The replaceable alcohol sensor module of claim 1 , further comprising a breath sampling tube to receive and direct the breath sample to the alcohol sensor.

6. A breathalyzer comprising a replaceable alcohol sensor module of claim 1 , the processor, a display to display the calculated blood alcohol concentration, and a housing to house the processor, the replaceable alcohol sensor module, and the display.

7. A replaceable alcohol sensor module for use with a breathalyzer comprising:

an alcohol sensor that is calibrated to provide a change in its resistivity based an amount of alcohol detected in a breath sample;

an adapter to removably connect the replaceable sensor module to the breathalyzer and to transmit the change in the resistivity of the alcohol sensor to a processor of the breathalyzer, the processor calculates a blood alcohol concentration of the breath sample based on the change in the resistivity of the alcohol sensor;

a printed circuit board to mount the alcohol sensor and the adapter; and

wherein the replaceable alcohol sensor module is installable in the breathalyzer to replace existing replaceable alcohol sensor module in the breathalyzer after being used for a predetermined number of times.

8. The replaceable alcohol sensor module of claim 7 , wherein the alcohol sensor provides an electrical current based the change in the resistivity of the alcohol sensor; and wherein the processor measures a change in the conductivity of the alcohol sensor based on the electric current to calculate the blood alcohol concentration of the breath sample.

9. The replaceable alcohol sensor module of claim 7 , further comprising a non-volatile memory unit to store information to maintain the alcohol sensor in a calibrated state.

10. The replace alcohol sensor module of claim 7 , wherein the breathalyzer is one of the following: a portable breathalyzer, a coin-operated breathalyzer, a key-chain breathalyzer or a car ignition breathalyzer.

11. The replaceable alcohol sensor module of claim 7 , further comprising a breath sampling tube to receive and direct the breath sample to the alcohol sensor.

12. The replaceable alcohol sensor module of claim 7 , wherein the alcohol sensor is a semiconductor sensor.

13. The replaceable alcohol sensor module of claim 7 , further comprising a heating unit to warm up the alcohol sensor to a predetermined temperature.

14. The replaceable alcohol sensor module of claim 7 , wherein the alcohol sensor is warmed up to a predetermined temperature by a heating unit of the breathalyzer.

15. A breathalyzer comprising a replaceable alcohol sensor module of claim 7 , the processor, a display to display the calculated blood alcohol concentration, and a housing to house the processor, the replaceable alcohol sensor module, and the display.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 11, 2015
From: SON, MATTHEW HOGYUN
To: AK GLOBALTECH CORP.
Reel/Frame 036769/0621 →
Continuity (6)
Continuation In Part 14822748 · Aug 10, 2015
Continuation 13559249 · Jul 26, 2012
Continuation 12955628 · Nov 29, 2010
Continuation 11528979 · Sep 27, 2006
Provisional Application 60776127 · Feb 22, 2006
Related Publication 20160033477A1 · Feb 4, 2016