Thermal Imager Calibration Source for Fever Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thermal imaging systems face challenges in achieving accurate temperature measurements within narrow temperature ranges, such as those near human body temperature, especially when using low-cost, mass-producible devices, due to limitations in performance and manufacturing tolerances.

Innovation Solution

A field-deployable thermal imaging system that incorporates a temperature-controlled calibration source and combines thermal and visible imaging with pattern recognition techniques to provide real-time calibration and accurate temperature measurements, allowing for precise fever detection using low-cost components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If low-cost thermal imaging devices are used, then device cost and manufacturability are improved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemass producibilityVSAvoidtemperature measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calibration by capturing an image of a calibration source with known temperature characteristics before measuring the target. This preliminary action establishes a reference mapping between pixel values and temperatures that compensates for manufacturing variations in low-cost devices, enabling accurate measurements without requiring expensive precision components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the calibration source as a feedback reference to continuously validate and adjust the thermography function. By periodically imaging the calibration source and comparing measured temperatures against known values, the system can detect and correct drift in sensor response, maintaining measurement precision over time and across production batches

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If thermal imaging is used for narrow temperature range measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration source is designed as a simple, inexpensive object with known thermal characteristics that can be easily replaced or reset. Rather than using complex, expensive calibration equipment, the system employs a straightforward blackbody-like source that provides sufficient calibration accuracy for the application, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The calibration source serves multiple functions: it provides calibration reference, validates sensor response, and can be used to detect system faults. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate verification equipment or complex calibration procedures, simplifying the overall system while achieving high measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 achieves accurate temperature measurements within a few degrees of nominal human body temperature, enabling effective fever detection with high precision and reliability, even with low-cost thermal imaging devices, by periodically updating the thermography function based on a known calibration source.

Implementation Method 1

thermal imaging sensors... thermal imaging cameras... thermal image... fever detection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

temperature controlled calibration source of a known shape... known temperature of the calibration source... real time calibration near the human body temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal equilibrium:

Data Source

PatentUS12193788B2Cost effective, mass producible system for rapid detection of fever conditions based on thermal imaging

Publication Date: 2025.01.14 SEEK THERMAL

AI summary

Systems and methods based on thermal imaging for rapid detection of fever conditions in humans that provide for extremely inexpensive, mass producible, field deployable devices accurate in specific, relatively low temperature ranges, and in particular temperatures near nominal human body temperature. The system may include a thermal imager tailored for the application and a corresponding mass producible controlled temperature calibration source configured to provide real time calibration near the human body temperature of interest. The imager and source are deployed in a way such that target people and the calibration source will be within the imager FOV for fever detection. The combination of real time near measurement temperature calibration, with suitable thermography approaches, yield fast, accurate measurements in the fever range using low cost, easy-to-produce components. In combination with a visible imager and pattern/facial recognition techniques, detection of a human target's facial regions of interest suitable for fever detection can be accurately accomplished.