Thermochromic Optical Body Temperature Sensing Under Ambient Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing body temperature measurement technologies are significantly affected by external environmental factors, making it difficult to accurately measure deep body temperature using portable devices, and there is a need for improved methods to estimate bio-information.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing a thermochromic sensor with a thermochromic part that includes thermally conductive material and thermochromic layers to detect light spectra changes, combined with a processor to calculate body temperature and estimate bio-information, such as heart rate and blood vessel positions, using machine learning models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If non-contact type sensors (thermopile, micro-bolometer) are used to measure body temperature, then portability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to environmental factors affecting heat transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light source and light receiver as intermediary components. The light source emits light that passes through the object, and the light receiver detects the transmitted light. This optical intermediary system enables non-contact temperature measurement while being less susceptible to environmental thermal interference compared to direct infrared sensing, thereby maintaining portability while improving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional direct thermal detection mechanism (mechanical/thermal field interaction) with an optical detection mechanism. Instead of using thermopile or micro-bolometer sensors that directly detect infrared radiation and are highly sensitive to environmental temperature, the system uses light transmission through the object to infer temperature, substituting thermal field measurement with optical field measurement to reduce environmental interference.
2Measurement precision
If contact type sensors (RTD, thermocouple) are used to measure body temperature, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and portability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces contact-type thermal sensors (RTD, thermocouple) with a non-contact optical measurement system. Instead of using electrical resistance or electromotive force detection that requires direct physical contact and complex thermal coupling, the system uses light transmission characteristics to measure temperature, simplifying the device structure while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional system where the same optical components (light source, light receiver) can be used for both temperature measurement and potentially other physiological parameter detection. This universal approach reduces overall device complexity compared to using specialized contact sensors for each measurement type, as the optical system serves multiple diagnostic functions.
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 solution provides accurate deep body temperature measurement by compensating for external temperature variations and allows for the estimation of bio-information like blood pressure and heart rate, enhancing the reliability and precision of portable health monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a thermochromic part (112) having various thermochromic properties
Implementation Method 2
a thermally conductive material and thermochromic layers
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for measuring a body temperature includes: a light source part configured to emit a light onto an object; a thermochromic part configured to change a spectrum of the light, which is reflected or scattered from the object and passes therethrough, according to a thermochromic property of the thermochromic part; a light receiver configured to detect the light having passed through the thermochromic part; and a processor configured to determine a body temperature of the object by using the spectrum of the detected light.