IP Library Granted Patent US 12,171,579
Granted Patent B2
US 12,171,579 · App. 18/522,869 · Granted Dec 24, 2024

Method and system for transdermal alcohol monitoring

Inventors: Keith Harry Nothacker (San Francisco, CA); William Tammen (San Francsico, CA); Raymond Kampmeier (San Francisco, CA)
Assignee: KHN Solutions, LLC
A61B5/6843A61B5/01A61B5/061A61B5/14546A61B5/681A61B5/7264G01L1/22G06F16/51G16H40/67G16H50/20G16H50/30H04Q9/00A61B5/02438A61B5/082
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,171,579
App. No.
18/522,869
Granted
Dec 24, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for monitoring intoxication of a user, the method including: receiving a set of samples from a body region of a user; generating an intoxication metric based on the set of samples; and providing a notification to the user based on the intoxication metric. The method can additionally or alternatively include: modifying operation of the transdermal alcohol sensing device based on the intoxication metric; determining contextual data; maintaining a hydration level of the transdermal alcohol sensing device; and any other suitable processes. A system for monitoring intoxication of a user including a sensor and a housing. The system can additionally or alternatively include any or all of: an inlet, a fastener, an electronics subsystem, a user device, and/or any other suitable component.

Claims (32)

1. A method for detecting misuse of an alcohol sensing device by a user, the method comprising:

receiving a set of measurements from a set of sensors of the alcohol sensing device, wherein the set of sensors comprises an alcohol sensor and a supplementary sensor;

determining an adjustment parameter associated with the alcohol sensing device based on the set of measurements;

detecting a suspected misuse event based on the adjustment parameter;

in response to detecting the suspected misuse event, triggering an outcome comprising notifying the user to provide an image of the alcohol sensing device while coupled to the user and while a second set of measurements is received at the set of sensors.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the adjustment parameter comprises an adjustment setting of the alcohol sensing device, wherein the adjustment setting is stored in association with the user remotely from the alcohol sensing device.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the suspected misuse event comprises a determination that the alcohol sensing device is not in contact with a person.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising initiating a timer with which to put the alcohol sensing device on the person.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting the suspected misuse event comprises determining a suspected identify of the user of the alcohol sensing device.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alcohol sensing device comprises a breathalyzer.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the outcome further comprises transmitting a notification to a client application of a remote monitoring entity.

8. The method of claim 1 , the suspected misuse event comprises a tampering event, wherein detecting the suspected misuse event based on the adjustment parameter comprises determining that the adjustment parameter falls outside of an expected parameter range.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising identifying, based on the image, the user as an intended user of the alcohol sensing device.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alcohol sensing device comprises a wearable device.

11. A system, comprising:

an alcohol sensing device comprising a set of sensors, the set of sensors comprising:

an alcohol sensor;

a set of supplementary sensors;

a processing subsystem, comprising a set of processors, wherein the processing subsystem is configured to:

receive a set of samples from the set of sensors;

determine an adjustment parameter based on the set of samples;

detect a suspected misuse event based on the adjustment parameter;

in response to detecting the suspected misuse event, triggering an action comprising prompting a user to sample an image.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the image comprises an image depicting the user and the alcohol sensing device.

13. The system of claim 11 , further comprising a client application executing on a user device of a remote monitoring entity.

14. The system of claim 11 , wherein detecting the suspected misuse event comprises comparing the adjustment parameter with a value of a setting associated with the alcohol sensing device and the user.

15. The system of claim 11 , wherein the processing subsystem is at least partially arranged within a user device, wherein the user device is communicatively coupled to the alcohol sensing device.

16. The system of claim 11 , wherein the set of supplementary sensors comprises at least one of: a strain gauge, an induction coil, or an accelerometer.

17. The system of claim 11 , wherein the set of samples comprises a breath sample.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the action further comprises prompting the user to provide an additional sample at the alcohol sensor.

19. The system of claim 17 , wherein detecting the suspected misuse event comprises determining that a set of signals associated with the breath sample do not reach a minimum threshold.

20. The system of claim 11 , wherein the alcohol sensing device further comprises a light emitter, wherein the image comprises a unique signature generated by the light emitter.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 065700 FRAME 0604. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Dec 6, 2023
From: NOTHACKER, KEITH HARRY; TAMMEN, WILLIAM; KAMPMEIER, RAYMOND
To: KHN SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 065794/0495 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 29, 2023
From: NOTHACKER, KEITH HARRY; TAMMEN, WILLIAM; KAMPMEIER, RAYMOND
To: KHN SOLUATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 065700/0604 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 29, 2023
From: KHN SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: KHN SOLUTIONS, LLC
Reel/Frame 065710/0663 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 17714745 · Apr 6, 2022
Continuation 17033501 · Sep 25, 2020
Continuation In Part 16362444 · Mar 22, 2019
Provisional Application 62646706 · Mar 22, 2018
Related Publication 20240090839A1 · Mar 21, 2024