# US 2019/0317068 A1 · Device for the Detection of Conditions Indicative of Illicit Drug Production > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0317068 A1 - Document ID: US20190317068A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/472,589 - Filed: 2017-12-21 - Published: 2019-10-17 - Earliest claimed: 2016-12-22 - Assignees: P Alert Limited - Applicants: P Alert Limited - Inventors: Robert David Beck; James Hanson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190317068A1 ## CPC - G01N 33/0047: {Organic compounds} - G01N 33/0063: {using a threshold to release an alarm or displaying means} - H04Q 9/00: Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom - H04Q 2209/823: where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - H04Q: SELECTING (switches, relays, selectors H01H; wireless communication networks H04W) ## Abstract A device for the detection of conditions indicative of illicit drug production. The device includes an airborne ethanol sensor circuit configured to output a signal indicative of airborne ethanol concentration. A processor is coupled to the airborne ethanol sensor circuit, configured to receive the signal indicative of airborne ethanol concentration. The processor is configured to determine whether a value of the signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. A communication circuit is coupled to the processor, configured to send a message to at least one remote address on determination of the value of the signal exceeding the predetermined threshold. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for the detection of conditions indicative of illicit drug production, including: an airborne ethanol sensor circuit configured to output a signal indicative of airborne ethanol concentration; a processor coupled to the airborne ethanol sensor circuit, configured to: receive the signal indicative of airborne ethanol concentration; determine whether a value of the signal exceeds a predetermined threshold; a communication circuit coupled to the processor, configured to send a message to at least one remote address on determination of the value of the signal exceeding the predetermined threshold. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the airborne ethanol sensor circuit includes an ethanol gas sensor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the ethanol gas sensor is a metal oxide type ethanol gas sensor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The device of claim 3, wherein the metal oxide type gas ethanol gas sensor is a tin oxide (SnO2) sensor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the airborne ethanol sensor circuit is coupled to a sensor driving circuit configured to deliver a pulse power up voltage to the ethanol gas sensor prior to the value of the signal indicative of airborne ethanol concentration being compared with the predetermined threshold. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the airborne ethanol sensor circuit includes a high ohmic burden on an output of the gas ethanol sensor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the predetermined threshold for comparison with the value of the signal is indicative of the airborne ethanol (C2H5OH) concentration being above about 60 ppm. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The device of claim 7, wherein the predetermined threshold is indicative of the airborne ethanol (C2H5OH) concentration being above about 75 ppm. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The device of claim 7, wherein the predetermined threshold is indicative of the airborne ethanol (C2H5OH) concentration being above about 100 ppm. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to periodically determine whether the value of the signal exceeds the predetermined threshold. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the message sent by the communication circuit may uniquely identifies the device from which the message was sent. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the communication circuit includes a wireless modem configured to communicate over a cellular network. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to disable the modem while the value of the signal does not exceed the predetermined threshold. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to enable the modem and send status messages at predetermined instances when the value of the signal does not exceed the predetermined threshold. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to enable the modem and listen for command messages at predetermined instances. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to listen for command messages for a predetermined period of time following sending the message. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to listen for command messages for a predetermined period of time following sending the message. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, including a self-contained power source. ### Claim 18 A method for the detection of conditions indicative of illicit drug production, including: driving an airborne ethanol sensor circuit to output a signal indicative of airborne ethanol concentration; receiving the signal indicative of airborne ethanol concentration at a processor; determining whether a value of the signal exceeds a predetermined threshold; and sending a message to at least one remote address on determination of the value of the signal exceeding the predetermined threshold. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein driving the airborne ethanol sensor circuit includes delivering a pulse power up voltage to an ethanol gas sensor of the airborne ethanol sensor circuit prior to the value of the signal indicative of airborne ethanol concentration being compared with the predetermined threshold. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the predetermined threshold for comparison with the value of the signal is indicative of the airborne ethanol (C2H5OH) concentration being above about 60 ppm. ### Claim at position 22 21-26. (canceled)