Contactless Thermometer Camera Focus Distance Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional thermometers, both contact-type and non-contact, face challenges in accurately measuring body temperature, especially in dynamic or hard-to-reach subjects like infants, due to structural limitations and variations in measurement distance, leading to errors and impracticality for continuous monitoring.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device equipped with a camera module and temperature sensor that determines if an object is in focus, allowing for precise body temperature measurement by maintaining a constant distance between the sensor and the object, thereby reducing measurement errors and enhancing accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If non-contact thermometers are used for continuous monitoring, then measurement convenience is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to distance variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement convenienceVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses camera focus detection as a feedback mechanism to monitor the distance between the thermometer and the measurement target. The system continuously checks whether the captured image is in focus, and only performs temperature measurement when the focus condition is satisfied, ensuring consistent measurement distance and high accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical distance measurement methods with optical focus detection using the camera module. Instead of using separate distance sensors or telescopic mechanisms, the system leverages the camera's autofocus capability to indirectly measure and control the distance to the target, simplifying the device structure while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If telescopic structures are added to maintain constant distance, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the camera module serve dual functions: both capturing images for focus detection and providing the optical path for distance control. The same lens and image sensor used for photography are utilized to determine whether the measurement target is at the correct distance, eliminating the need for separate distance measurement components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own camera module to perform the distance verification function that would otherwise require separate mechanical components. The camera's autofocus mechanism serves the dual purpose of image capture and distance control, making the system self-sufficient and avoiding additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If proximity sensors are used for distance detection, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the camera module serve dual functions: both capturing images for focus detection and providing the optical path for distance control. The same lens and image sensor used for photography are utilized to determine whether the measurement target is at the correct distance, eliminating the need for separate distance measurement components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical distance measurement methods with optical focus detection using the camera module. Instead of using separate distance sensors or telescopic mechanisms, the system leverages the camera's autofocus capability to indirectly measure and control the distance to the target, simplifying the device structure while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 enables accurate, contactless body temperature measurement with reduced errors, improving user convenience and practicality for continuous monitoring, especially in scenarios where subjects are in motion or hard to reach.

Implementation Method 1

a camera module for determining whether an image of an object is in focus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight: Light

Implementation Method 2

a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS10226184B2Apparatus and method for enhancing accuracy of a contactless body temperature measurement

Publication Date: 2019.03.12 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic device for enhancing accuracy of a contactless body temperature measurement is provided. The electronic device includes a camera module for determining whether an image of an object is in focus, a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the object, and a processor for determining, as a temperature of the object, a temperature output from the temperature sensor corresponding to a focus matching time as a result of determining whether the image of the object is in focus.