System and method for detecting thermal anomalies

• US 20060193498A1
• Filed: 02/25/2005
• Published: 08/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation (ON Semiconductor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation (ON Semiconductor Corporation)
• Inventors: Hartlove, Jason
• Granted Patent: US 7,457,441 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/115
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0025 Living bodies ear thermometers G01J5/0011; detecting, measuring or recording for diagnostic purposes A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/103 Static body considered as a whole, e.g. static pedestrian or occupant recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A system and method for detecting a thermal anomaly in humans and/or livestock. In one embodiment, the system includes an image capturing component that captures a visual image of incident light in a screening area, the image capturing component further operable to determine a first coordinate in the captured image, such as the location of a person'"'"'s eyes. The system further includes a radiation capturing component operable to capture a thermal image of incident radiation in the screening area, the radiation capturing component further operable to determine an analysis area in the captured thermal image based upon the first coordinate in the captured light image. Finally, the system includes a processing component for determining thermal characteristics about the analysis area. As a result, if the thermal characteristics correspond to an alarm event, then an alarm may be triggered and the person or animal may be isolated for further health screening.

Claims

1. A system for detecting a thermal anomaly, the system comprising:

an image capturing component operable to capture a visual image of incident light in a scan area, the image capturing component further operable to capture an image having a feature, the feature having a coordinate associated with the feature in the captured image; and

a radiation capturing component operable to capture a thermal image of incident radiation in the screening area, the thermal image including an analysis area that is a subset of the screening area, the analysis area based upon the coordinate of the feature captured in the captured light image.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the feature captured in the image comprises a human eye.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the analysis area comprises an area surrounding the human eye.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the analysis area comprises an area above the human eye.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the feature is an animal eye, and wherein the animal is livestock.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a processor operably coupled to the image capturing component and the radiation capturing component, the processor operable to determine the location of the coordinate associated with the feature and operable to determine the analysis area based on the location of the coordinate.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the processor is further operable to generate a signal if the radiation in the analysis area exceeds a predetermined threshold.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the predetermined threshold comprises a threshold radiation corresponding to approximately 98.6°

Fahrenheit.

9. A method for detecting a thermal anomaly, the method comprising:

capturing an image in a screening area, the image having both visual characteristics and thermal characteristics;

identifying a location of a point of interest in the captured image, the point of interest corresponding to an eye;

determining an analysis area in the captured image based on the location of the point of interest; and

determining at least one thermal characteristic of the analysis area.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein capturing the image further comprises capturing the image from a plurality of perspectives including a first perspective for capturing a first set of visual characteristics of the image, a second perspective for capturing a second set of visual characteristics of the image, and a third perspective for capturing a set of thermal characteristics of the image.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein identifying the location of the point of interest further comprises comparing the first set of visual characteristics from the first perspective to the second set of visual characteristics from the second perspective to yield a differential visual image that only shows the point of interest.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the determining the analysis area further comprises determining the analysis area to be an area surrounding the eye including a forehead associated with the eye.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein determining at least one thermal characteristic of the analysis area further comprises determining that thermal radiation in the analysis area exceeds a threshold radiation level.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising determining that the thermal radiation exceeds a threshold level corresponding to an average human body temperature.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising determining that the thermal radiation exceeds a threshold level corresponding to an average animal body temperature.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising actuating an alarm if the thermal radiation threshold is exceeded.

17. A thermal anomaly detection system comprising:

an image capturing component operable to capture a visual image of incident light in a scan area, the image capturing component further operable to capture an image having a feature, the feature having a coordinate associated with the feature in the captured image;

a radiation capturing component operable to capture a thermal image of incident radiation in the screening area, the thermal image including an analysis area that is a subset of the screening area, the analysis area based upon the coordinate of the feature captured in the captured light image;

a processor operably coupled to the image capturing component and the radiation capturing component, the processor operable to determine the location of the coordinate associated with the feature and operable to determine the analysis area based on the location of the coordinate; and

an identification device reader operably coupled to the processor and operable to read an identification card to initiate the capturing of the image by the image capturing component and the radiation capturing component.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising a monitor operably coupled to the processor and operable to display a captured light image and the captured thermal image.

19. The system of claim 17, further comprising a gate operably coupled to the processor and operable to open automatically if the processor determines that no thermal characteristic in the captured thermal image exceeds a pre-determined threshold level of radiation and the gate operable to remain closed if the processor determines that at least one thermal characteristic in the captured thermal image exceeds a pre-determined threshold level of radiation.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising an alarm system operably coupled to the processor and operable to display a visual alarm and to actuate and audible alarm at least one thermal characteristic in the captured thermal image exceeds a pre-determined threshold level of radiation.