Systems and methods for detecting and tracking infectious diseases using sensor data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current contact tracing techniques for infectious diseases are often inaccurate, slow, or ineffective, particularly in areas with limited mobile connectivity, and they fail to maintain individual privacy.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses sensors, such as infrared cameras and real-time location systems, to detect and track individuals infected with infectious diseases, identify exposed spaces and individuals, and generate reports for disinfection or avoidance without revealing the infected individual's identity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automated contact tracing tools rely on mobile connectivity of devices, then contact tracing can be performed, but it becomes ineffective for individuals in areas without mobile connectivity, for individuals who have rejected participation, and for individuals who do not have devices with mobile wireless connectivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mobile connectivity-based tracking with sensor-based detection systems (infrared cameras, temperature sensors, airflow sensors) that detect physiological signs of infection. This substitution allows contact tracing to work independently of mobile device connectivity, extending applicability to all individuals regardless of their device status or location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sensors as intermediaries between infected individuals and the contact tracing system. Instead of relying on direct mobile device communication, sensors detect temperature, respiratory rate, and other physiological parameters to identify infected individuals and trace their contacts, serving as a mediator that works without mobile connectivity.
2Ease of manufacture
If contact tracing mechanisms rely on individuals self-reporting their symptoms and diagnoses, then implementation is simple, but accuracy decreases as many individuals may forget or refuse to disclose their disease statuses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to automatically detect and report disease status without requiring individual self-reporting. Sensors continuously monitor physiological parameters and automatically identify infected individuals, eliminating the need for manual self-reporting while maintaining simplicity in deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes manual self-reporting with automated sensor-based detection. Instead of relying on individuals to disclose their status, the system uses temperature sensors, respiratory sensors, and other detection devices to automatically identify infected individuals, significantly improving accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If the system uses sensors to detect and track infected individuals, then contact tracing accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the contact tracing system into separate functional modules: temperature detection, respiratory rate detection, location tracking, and data analysis. Each module performs a specific function, allowing the complex system to be implemented and maintained more easily while maintaining high detection accuracy.
4Productivity
If traditional contact tracing methods are used, then privacy concerns are minimal, but the speed and effectiveness of preventing disease spread decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses sensors as intermediaries that detect infection status without requiring direct access to personal information. The system measures temperature, respiratory rate, and other physiological parameters to identify infected individuals, maintaining privacy while enabling rapid contact tracing and disease spread prevention.
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
The system efficiently monitors individuals for infectious disease symptoms, maintains privacy by not using microphones or device location tracking, and effectively identifies and reports exposure to infectious diseases, thereby helping to prevent their spread.
Implementation Method 1
detecting, by one or more infrared cameras, a surface temperature or a core temperature of the particular individual
Implementation Method 2
identifying second sensor data indicative of a location of the particular individual in the multiple spaces
Data Source
AI summary
An example method for identifying and reporting a space or individual that has been exposed to an infectious disease includes identifying sensor data related to one or more individuals in a space; determining, based on the sensor data, that a particular individual among the one or more individuals is infected with an infectious disease; generating a report requesting that the space be disinfected; and outputting the report to a computing device.