Optical Temperature Measurement Guide for Skin Color Variations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices face challenges in accurately measuring temperature due to variations in light absorptance based on skin color, making it difficult to determine the appropriate location for precise temperature measurement.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilize a photo sensor and processor to measure the amount of light reflected from an object, determine the size of a temperature measurement area, and output a guide message to adjust the device's position for accurate temperature measurement, regardless of skin color.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If light absorptance is used to determine measurement location, then location detection is possible, but measurement precision deteriorates due to skin color variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical signal as an intermediary between the photo sensor and the measurement location determination. Instead of directly using light absorptance values which vary with skin color, the system uses optical signals (reflectance, transmittance, or emitance) that can be normalized and compared against reference values to determine the measurement location, thereby eliminating the skin color dependency while maintaining location detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from raw light absorptance to normalized optical signal characteristics (reflectance, transmittance, or emitance ratios). By comparing the optical signal from the measurement location with reference optical signals from known locations, the system determines the appropriate measurement location without being affected by skin color variations, thus improving temperature measurement precision
2Loss of information
If photo sensor measures light amount, then location information can be obtained, but reliability deteriorates due to skin color affecting light absorptance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the photo sensor continuously measures optical signals, compares them with reference optical signals from different locations, and adjusts the measurement location determination accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that the system can reliably determine the correct measurement location by iteratively comparing optical signal characteristics, overcoming the reliability issues caused by skin color variations
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 accurate temperature measurement by guiding the device to the optimal location, ensuring precise readings regardless of skin color variations.
Implementation Method 1
measuring an amount of light of an optical signal that has reflected off of an object
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for measuring a temperature in an electronic device. An amount of light of an optical signal reflected off of an object is measured, and a size of a temperature measurement expectation area on the object based is determined based on the measured amount of light. A temperature measurement guide message is output based on a result of comparing the determined size and a reference area.