Visual Alignment Cues for Contactless Skin Temperature Measurement

Solution Overview

Problem

Infrared temperature sensors used for skin temperature measurements face challenges due to variability in sensor position and orientation, leading to inaccurate readings if not within the specified range, making it difficult to interpret measurement results effectively.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that display visual alignment cues on a display to ensure the subject is positioned correctly for accurate skin temperature measurement by a contactless temperature sensor, including triggering the sensor to record measurements when alignment is achieved, and outputting results as absolute temperatures or compared to an average ambient temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If visual alignment cues and automated detection are implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin temperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces visual alignment cues displayed on a screen as an intermediary between the subject and the temperature sensor. These cues guide the subject's positioning without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms. The camera system acts as another intermediary, automatically detecting alignment and triggering measurements, thereby improving precision while avoiding direct mechanical complexity in the sensing apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning and alignment procedures with an automated optical detection system. Instead of requiring operators to physically adjust sensor positions or manually align subjects using mechanical guides, the system uses a camera to capture images, process them computationally to detect alignment with visual cues, and automatically trigger measurements. This substitution of mechanical operations with optical and computational methods improves measurement precision while managing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If manual positioning is used without alignment guidance, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidskin temperature measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces visual alignment cues displayed on a screen as an intermediary between the subject and the temperature sensor. These cues guide the subject's positioning without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms. The camera system acts as another intermediary, automatically detecting alignment and triggering measurements, thereby improving precision while avoiding direct mechanical complexity in the sensing apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning and alignment procedures with an automated optical detection system. Instead of requiring operators to physically adjust sensor positions or manually align subjects using mechanical guides, the system uses a camera to capture images, process them computationally to detect alignment with visual cues, and automatically trigger measurements. This substitution of mechanical operations with optical and computational methods improves measurement precision while managing system complexity.

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

This approach ensures accurate and reliable skin temperature measurements by aligning the subject correctly with the sensor, reducing errors and providing clear indicators of fever detection based on temperature thresholds, enhancing the reliability of screening processes.

Implementation Method 1

Skin temperature measurements can be obtained using an infrared temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the skin on a subject's forehead

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS11051701B1Methods, systems, and computer readable media for obtaining accurate skin temperature measurements

Publication Date: 2021.07.06 CLAIRVOYANT NETWORKS LLC

AI summary

A method for obtaining accurate skin temperature measurements includes displaying, on a display, a video image of a temperature measurement subject captured by a camera. The method further includes displaying, on the display, at least one visual alignment cue sized and positioned on the display such that when a predetermined portion of the video image of the subject is aligned with the at least one visual alignment cue, the subject is located at a predetermined distance and orientation for accurate skin temperature measurement by a contactless temperature sensor. The method further includes analyzing the video image of the subject and detecting when the predetermined portion of the video image of the subject is aligned with the at visual alignment cue. The method further includes triggering the contactless temperature sensor to record a skin temperature measurement of the subject when the predetermined portion of the video image of the subject is aligned with the at least one visual alignment cue.