Remote temperature sensing device

• US 8,282,274 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2009
• Issued: 10/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autovision Technology Limited
• Original Assignee: Autovision Technology Limited
• Inventors: Pang, Yuk-Wa, Leung, Ho Wai Phyllis, Chan, Chun-Kong Joseph, Kong, Kin Wah, Wong, Yat-Pui, Li, Kin-Ip
• Primary Examiner(s): Caputo, Lisa
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, JAMEL E
• Application Number:
  US12/459,335
• Publication Number:
  US 20100329301A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,197 Days
• Field of Search: 374/121, 374/120
• US Class Current: 374/121
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/015 By temperature mapping of body part
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0022 for sensing the radiation of moving bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0025 Living bodies ear thermometers G01J5/0011; detecting, measuring or recording for diagnostic purposes A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/02 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0275 Control or determination of height or distance or angle information for sensors or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/04 Casings
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/047 Mobile mounting; Scanning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/07 Arrangements for adjusting the solid angle of collected radiation, e.g. adjusting or orienting field of view, tracking position or encoding angular position optical collimating elements G01J5/0806
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/08 Optical arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0846 having multiple detectors for performing different types of detection, e.g. using radiometry and reflectometry channels
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0859 Sighting arrangements, e.g. cameras

Abstract

A temperature sensing device for remotely detecting the temperature of a subject having an identifying feature and a target zone in a fixed relationship to the identifying feature comprising: a distance sensor which measures the distance between the subject and the distance sensor; a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature difference in a sensing zone; a digital image capture device for capturing a digital image of the subject; a means of tilting at least the temperature sensor along at least one axis, and preferably tilting and panning along two axes; a controller that actuates the tilting means; and a support for supporting the distance sensor, the temperature sensor and the digital image capture device; wherein the controller tilts the distance sensor using the tilting means to reduce the distance between the target zone and the sensing zone; and a temperature sensor that measures a temperature difference proximate to the target zone, to detect elevated temperature illness in humans or animals.

Claims

1. A temperature sensing device for remotely detecting the temperature of a subject having an identifying feature and a target zone in a fixed relationship to the identifying feature comprising:

a means of detecting the presence of the subject in a screening position;

a distance sensor which measures the distance between the subject and the distance sensor;

a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature in a sensing zone on the subject;

a digital image capture device for capturing a digital image of the subject;

a means of tilting at least the temperature sensor along at least one axis;

a controller that actuates the tilting means; and

a support for supporting the distance sensor, the temperature sensor and the digital image capture device;

wherein the controller tilts the temperature sensor using the tilting means, by identifying the position of the identifying feature in the image, determining the location of the target zone on the subject based on the distance to the subject and the position of the identifying feature in the image, and then tilting the distance sensor to reduce the distance between the target zone and the sensing zone.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the tilting means also tilts the distance sensor.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the tilting means also tilts the digital image capture device.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the distance sensor comprises an ultrasonic sensor.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor comprises an infrared sensor.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the infrared sensor is calibrated to detect a difference in temperature from the expected temperature of the target zone.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the digital image capture device comprises a video camera with the ability to capture a digital image.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller is incorporated into a housing that is proximate to the digital image capture device.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a computer in communication with the tilting means through a communication means.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a display device for displaying the results of a scan of an individual to an operator.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the tilting means comprises a servo motor.

12. The device in claim 1, wherein measuring a temperature in a sensing zone comprises measuring the temperature using the temperature sensor and adjusting the temperature to accommodate for the distance between the device and the target.

13. A method of scanning a human or an animal for elevated temperature using a temperature sensing device, comprising:

providing a temperature sensing device having a distance sensor, a temperature sensor, a means of capturing a digital image and an electronic controller having storage and a tilting means for tilting the distance sensor and the temperature sensor together; and

capturing a digital image of a target;

recognizing an identifying feature in the digital image and defining the position of a target zone on the target relative to the distance of the identifying feature;

determining the distance between the target zone and a sensing zone on the target;

tilting at least the temperature sensor to reduce the distance between the target zone and the sensing zone; and

calculating the temperature of the target zone by measuring the temperature at the sensing zone using the temperature sensor and adjusting the temperature to accommodate for the distance between the device and the target.