Non-contact Thermometer Using Color-coded Light for Temperature Gradient Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional non-contact thermometers are limited in detecting temperature gradients in both positive and negative directions without requiring the user to look at the device, and they can only detect positive temperature changes.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact thermometer with a light emitter and radiation detector that emits colored light beams based on temperature differences, allowing users to visualize temperature changes without looking at the device, by comparing detected temperatures to a reference temperature and changing the color of the light beam accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional non-contact thermometers display temperature on the device, then the temperature measurement is provided to the user, but the user must look at the device which may cause unintentional movement and loss of target alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-coded light beams (red for higher temperature, blue for lower temperature) to indicate temperature differences relative to a reference point. This visual feedback allows users to understand temperature gradients without looking at the device display, preventing unintentional movement while maintaining ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional non-contact thermometers use audio alerts for temperature threshold detection, then positive temperature changes are detected, but negative temperature changes cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses different colors to represent positive and negative temperature changes: red light indicates the target is hotter than the reference point, while blue light indicates the target is colder. This visual color-coding system provides complete temperature gradient information in both directions, overcoming the limitation of audio alerts that only detect positive changes.
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 users to easily view temperature changes along a line by emitting different colored light beams indicating temperature differences, providing a method to determine if a targeted area is hotter or colder than a reference area without needing to look at the thermometer.
Implementation Method 1
The radiation detector is operable to detect first heat discerning radiation based on the first temperature from the first target
Implementation Method 2
The light emitter is operable to emit a first light having a first color and to emit a second light having a second color
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is drawn to a non-contact thermometer that is operable to emit a first light having a first color to create a spot of a first color at a reference target and to detect the temperature of the reference target. The non-contact thermometer is additionally operable to establish a temperature difference threshold. In use, once a temperature difference threshold is selected and once the temperature of the reference target is detected, the non-contact thermometer may detect a temperature of another target. Further, if the detected temperature of the other target is outside of the temperature difference threshold as compared to the temperature of the reference target, the non-contact thermometer is operable to emit a second light having a second color to create a spot of a second color at the other target.