Head-Mounted Fever Detection Using Environmental Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Detecting fever and alcohol intoxication is challenging in real-life situations, especially when environmental conditions interfere with traditional measurement methods, and there is a need for a non-intrusive and cost-effective way to monitor these conditions without disrupting daily activities.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing inward-facing head-mounted cameras and temperature sensors to capture facial images and measure skin and environmental temperatures, combined with machine learning models to detect fever and intoxication by analyzing hemoglobin concentrations and other physiological signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional temperature measurement methods are used, then fever detection is achieved, but environmental interference reduces measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an outward-facing environmental camera as an intermediary device to measure environmental temperature and conditions. This mediator captures environmental data that is then used to compensate for and correct the skin temperature measurements, eliminating the harmful effect of environmental interference on fever detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where environmental temperature measurements are continuously fed back to adjust and correct the skin temperature readings. The processor uses the environmental data to compensate for thermal interference, creating a closed-loop system that maintains measurement precision despite varying environmental conditions
2Measurement precision
If contact temperature sensors are used, then temperature measurement is achieved, but daily activities are interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact temperature sensors with non-contact optical measurement systems. The inward-facing camera captures facial images that are processed to extract skin temperature information optically, eliminating the need for physical contact and allowing users to maintain their daily activities without interruption
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates an optical copy or representation of the skin's thermal state through facial imaging. Instead of direct mechanical contact, the camera captures light reflected from the face, and the processor generates a digital model of skin temperature from these optical signals, enabling non-intrusive measurement
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are deployed for accurate detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the camera system universal and multi-functional by using it for multiple purposes: capturing facial images for skin temperature measurement, detecting hemoglobin concentration changes, monitoring environmental conditions, and assessing overall physiological state. This single device performs what would traditionally require multiple specialized sensors, reducing system complexity while maintaining or improving detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges multiple detection functions into a unified camera-based platform. The same camera hardware is used to extract various physiological parameters through different image processing algorithms, combining temperature sensing, blood oxygen monitoring, and environmental detection into one integrated system that reduces complexity compared to using separate dedicated sensors for each function
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables continuous, non-intrusive monitoring of fever and intoxication, providing accurate detection without interrupting daily activities and accounting for environmental interference.
Implementation Method 1
a camera sensitive to wavelengths below 1050 nanometer... calculate, based on the images, values indicative of hemoglobin concentrations
Implementation Method 2
a first head-mounted temperature sensor configured to measure skin temperature (Tskin) at a first region on a user's head
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are embodiments of systems and methods that utilize temperature measurements taken with head-mounted sensors as well as images of a user's face to detect fever and/or intoxication. One embodiment of a system to detect fever includes a first head-mounted temperature sensor that measures skin temperature (Tskin) at a first region on a user's head, a second head-mounted temperature sensor that measures a temperature of the environment (Tenv), and a computer. The computer receives images of a second region on the user's face, captured by a camera sensitive to wavelengths below 1050 nanometer, and calculates, based on the images, values indicative of hemoglobin concentrations at three or more regions on the user's face. The computer can then detect whether the user has a fever based on Tskin, Tenv and the values.