Apparatuses and methods for detecting the production of methamphetamine

Abstract

A system for detecting a gas released during production of methamphetamine in a residential building includes a sensor. The sensor is attachable to a part of the residential building. The sensor outputs a signal in response to detection of a concentration of the gas. The system includes a communication link. The communication link receives a signal from the sensor and is configured to produce an output in response to the signal

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system to detect methamphetamine production in a residential building, comprising:
 a sensor, the sensor outputs a signal in response to detection of a concentration of a gas:, and   a processor, the processor is electrically coupled to receive the signal and to process the signal to separate an event from a background level, the processor to compare a duration of the event to the threshold time window value, wherein two states result:   (1) if the duration of the event is equal to or greater than the threshold time window value a possible methamphetamine production detection is made independently of gas concentration existing above the background level during the event, and a warning signal is generated; or   (2) if the duration of the event is not equal to or greater than the threshold time window value then a non-methamphetamine production activity i detected and the earning signal is not generated.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a combustible gas detector. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor is a catalytic sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor is an infrared sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor responds to volatile organic compounds. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second sensor, the second sensor is electronically coupled to the processor, the second sensor outputs a second signal in response to detection of a concentration of the gas at any volume percentage of the gas, the processor uses the second signal during separation of the event from the background level.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a communication link, the communication link is coupled to the processor, the communication link to facilitate message transmission responsive to the signal.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the warning signal is generated when the threshold time window value is greater than several minutes and less than 45 minutes long. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the warning signal is generated when the threshold time window value is approximately 15 minutes long. 
     
     
         10 . A system for execution by a data processing system to detect a gas released during production of methamphetamine in a residential building, comprising:
 means for measuring a concentration of a has with a combustible has sensor;   means for analyzing the concentration to identify an event;   means for identifying a non-methamphetamine production activity when a duration of the event is less than a duration of a threshold time window value; and   means for identifying a possible methamphetamine production detection when the duration of the event is equal to or greater than the threshold time window value.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the concentration is approximately equal to 50 parts per million (ppm). 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 means for analyzing a system status to determine whether tampering has occurred.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 means for generating a warning signal when a duration of an event is greater than several minutes and less than 45 minutes long.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the threshold time window value is greater than several minutes. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the means for measuring is made with a technology selected from the group consisting of Metal Oxide Semiconductor, Galvanic Cell, and Electrochemical. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the combustible gas sensor is a volatile organic compound sensor. 
     
     
         17 . A computer readable storage medium storing executable computer program instructions for causing the data processing system to perform steps comprising:
 receiving a signal from a combustible gas sensor, the combustible gas sensor is attachable to a residential building;   analyzing the signal to identify an event, wherein the event occurs independently of gas concentration;   identifying a non-methamphetamine production activity when a duration of the event is less than a duration of a threshold time window value; and   identifying a possible methamphetamine production detection when the duration of the event is equal to or greater than the threshold time window value.   
     
     
         18 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 analyzing a. system status to determine whether tampering has occurred.   
     
     
         19 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 17 , wherein the combustible gas sensor is a volatile organic compound sensor. 
     
     
         20 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 17 , wherein the threshold time window value is several minutes long. 
     
     
         21 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 17 , wherein the combustible gas sensor is made with a technology selected from the group consisting of Metal Oxide Semiconductor, Galvanic Cell, and Electrochemical.