U.S. patent application number 13/885159 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-05 for device and method for measuring temperature using infrared array sensors.
This patent application is currently assigned to EASYTEM CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is Jae-Woo Shin. Invention is credited to Jae-Woo Shin.
Application Number | 20130230074 13/885159 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46084188 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130230074 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shin; Jae-Woo |
September 5, 2013 |
DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MEASURING TEMPERATURE USING INFRARED ARRAY
SENSORS
Abstract
Disclosed is a device and method for measuring temperature with
infrared array sensor. This device includes: an infrared array
sensor module to take thermal picture information of a subject,
including a plurality of infrared sensors arranged in an array of
pixels; an on-screen display module to generate an indicator having
a profile corresponding to an entire or local shape of the subject
and defining a target point to be measured for temperature; a
display module to express the indicator and the thermal picture
information; and a controller to enable the infrared array sensor
module to measure the subject's temperature if the target point
displayed by the thermal picture information overlaps with the
indicator while the thermal picture information is expressed on the
display module along with the indicator.
Inventors: |
Shin; Jae-Woo; (Seoul,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Shin; Jae-Woo |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
EASYTEM CO., LTD.
Siheung-si, Gyeonggi-do
KR
|
Family ID: |
46084188 |
Appl. No.: |
13/885159 |
Filed: |
November 16, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
November 16, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR11/08751 |
371 Date: |
May 13, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
374/129 ;
374/121 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01K 1/20 20130101; G01J
5/089 20130101; G01J 5/60 20130101; G01J 5/025 20130101; G01J
5/0275 20130101; G01J 2005/0077 20130101; G01J 2005/106 20130101;
G01J 5/0025 20130101; G01J 5/0859 20130101; A61B 5/743 20130101;
A61B 5/70 20130101; A61B 5/01 20130101; G01J 2005/0081 20130101;
G01J 5/0265 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
374/129 ;
374/121 |
International
Class: |
G01K 1/20 20060101
G01K001/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 17, 2010 |
KR |
PCT/KR2010/008119 |
Claims
1. A device for measuring temperature, comprising: an infrared
array sensor module configured to take thermal picture information
of a subject, including a plurality of infrared sensors arranged in
an array of pixels; an on-screen display module configured to
generate an indicator having a profile corresponding to an entire
or local shape of the subject and defining a target point to be
measured for temperature; a display module configured to express
the indicator and the thermal picture information; and a controller
configured to enable the infrared array sensor module to measure
the subject's temperature if the target point displayed by the
thermal picture information overlaps with the indicator while the
thermal picture information is expressed on the display module
along with the indicator.
2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a camera
module configured to take image information, wherein the display
module is configured to overlap the image information with the
indicator, wherein the controller is configured to enable the
infrared array sensor module to measure the subject's temperature
if the target point displayed by the thermal picture information
overlaps with the indicator while the image information is
expressed on the display module along with the indicator.
3. The device according to claim 1 wherein the controller is
configured to determine that pixels included in the indicator are
valid pixels if the target point overlaps with the indicator, and
then calculate a resultant temperature value of the subject with
reference to temperature values measured by infrared sensors
respective to the valid pixels.
4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the controller is
configured to calculate an ambient temperature value with reference
to temperature values measured by the infrared sensors respective
to other pixels except the valid pixels, and then correct the
resultant temperature value with reference to the ambient
temperature value.
5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is
configured to, if temperature values measured each by the infrared
sensors are within a predetermined temperature range, determine
that pixels corresponding to the infrared sensors are valid pixels,
and calculate a resultant temperature value of the subject with
reference to temperature values measured by the infrared sensors
corresponding to the valid pixels.
6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the controller is
configured to calculate an ambient temperature value from
temperature values measured by infrared sensors corresponding to
other pixels except the valid pixels, and correct the resultant
temperature value of the subject with reference to the ambient
temperature value.
7. A method for measuring temperature, using the device of claim 1,
the method comprising: taking thermal picture information of a
subject by an infrared array sensor; generating an indicator that
has a profile to a target point of the subject and displaying the
indicator along with the thermal picture information; measuring
temperature from the subject by the infrared array sensor if the
target point displayed by the thermal picture information overlaps
with the indicator; and calculating and displaying a resultant
temperature value of the subject with reference to temperature
values measured by a plurality of infrared sensors included in the
infrared array sensor.
8. A method for measuring temperature, using the device of claim 2,
the method comprising: taking image information of a subject by a
camera module; generating an indicator that has a profile to a
target point of a subject and displaying the indicator along with
the image information; measuring temperature from the subject by
the infrared array sensor if the target point displayed by the
thermal picture information overlaps with the indicator; and
calculating and displaying a resultant temperature value of the
subject with reference to temperature values measured by a
plurality of infrared sensors included in the infrared array
sensor.
9. The method according to one claim 7, wherein calculating and
displaying the resultant temperature value is comprises:
determining pixels, which are included in the indicator, as valid
pixels; and calculating the resultant temperature value of the
subject with reference to temperature values measured by the
infrared sensors corresponding to the valid pixels.
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein calculating and
displaying the resultant temperature value is comprises:
calculating an ambient temperature value from temperature values
measured by the infrared sensors corresponding to other pixels
except the valid pixels; and correcting the resultant temperature
value with reference to the ambient temperature value.
11. The method according to claim 7, wherein calculating and
displaying the resultant temperature value is comprises:
determining that, if temperature values measured each by the
infrared sensors are within a predetermined temperature range,
pixels corresponding to the infrared sensors are valid pixels; and
calculating the resultant temperature value from temperature values
measured by the infrared sensors corresponding to the valid
pixels.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein calculating and
displaying the resultant temperature value is comprises:
calculating an ambient temperature value from temperature values
measured by the infrared sensors corresponding to other pixels
except the valid pixels; and correcting the resultant temperature
value with reference to the ambient temperature value.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates generally to measurement for
thermal pictures corresponding to infrared rays arising from
subjects such as material or human bodies. In particular, this
invention is concerned with a device for measuring temperature of a
subject with an infrared array sensor capable of detecting a
thermal picture from the subject, and a method for measuring
temperature the subject entirely or locally by means of the
device.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] Nowadays in various technical fields are widely being used
thermal detection devices for sensing temperature from material or
human bodies in response to even minute infrared rays.
[0005] For instance, a thermal detection device automatically
turning on/off a lamp at gloomy spot and others, as shown in FIG.
1, is composed including pyroelectric sensor 10, amplifier (AMP)
11, low pass filter (LPF) 12, comparator 13, timer 14, driver 15,
lamp 16 and light sensor 17.
[0006] In such a thermal detection device, pyroelectric sensor 10
accepts minute an infrared ray from for example a human body and
generates an electric signal of low voltage corresponding to the
infrared ray. Then, amplifier 11 operates to amplify the
low-voltage electric signal up to an electric signal over a
predetermined voltage.
[0007] During this, low pass filter 12 remove noises, e.g. high
frequency noises, while amplifying the electric signal over the
predetermined voltage.
[0008] Comparator 13 functions to compare the electric signal,
which is higher than the predetermined voltage without high
frequency noises, with reference voltage V_ref predetermined at for
example 0.7V. If a compared result is higher than the reference
voltage, timer 14 begins to operate.
[0009] Driver 15 supplies power toward lamp 16 to turn lamp 16 on
during a definite time (e.g. 10 seconds) for which timer 14 is
operating. Here, light sensor 17 generates an electric signal
corresponding to light incident thereon in response to
circumferential brightness, enabling or disabling an operation of
comparator 13.
[0010] Summarily, the conventional thermal detection device shown
in FIG. 1 operates with the aforementioned configuration such that
pyroelectric sensor 10 enables lamp 16 to be automatically turned
on when a person is closing thereto in a gloomy spot. In the
thermal detection device shown in FIG. 1, as well known,
pyroelectric sensor 10 employs a dielectric effecting having a
pyroelectric effect. However, pyroelectric sensor 10 is
disadvantageous upon which it is impossible to detect a material or
human body standing without movement because it does not further
generate any electric signal if infrared rays are continuously
incident thereon.
[0011] To amend such shortness for thermal detection, there has
been proposed another thermal detection device employing thermopile
sensor 20, instead of pyroelectric sensor 10 of FIG. 1, as shown
FIG. 2. Thermopile sensor 20 is a kind of thermal sensor mostly
used for measuring a standing material or human body in a
non-contacting mode.
[0012] Meanwhile, FIG. 3 shows that in recent years there is
developing a thermopile array sensor (TAS) fabricated in a single
module in which a plurality of thermopile sensors are arranged in
square pixel array (e.g. 32.times.32).
[0013] The thermopile array sensors (TAS) are being adopted in
advancing units for measuring thermal pictures of material or human
bodies. A typical thermal picture measurement unit is shown in FIG.
4, which is composed including thermopile array sensor 30,
amplifier (AMP) 31, low pass filter (LPF) 32, first
analogue-digital converter (ADC) 33, second analogue-digital
converter 34, digital signal processor 35 and display device
36.
[0014] Thermopile array sensor 30, for example, is formed of a
module in which a plurality of thermopile sensors are arranged in
square pixels to correspondingly detect temperature from respective
parts (e.g. 32.times.32) of an subject. In addition, thermopile
array sensor 30 includes temperature sensor TS, such as thermistor,
for detecting internal temperature of the module.
[0015] Temperature sensor TS outputs an electric signal
corresponding to internal temperature of the module. The thermopile
sensors of thermopile array sensor 30 accepts infrared rays in the
unit of pixel respectively from parts of an subject and then output
electric signals corresponding each to the infrared rays.
[0016] Amplifier 31 operates to amplify the electric signals output
from the thermopile array sensor 30. Low pass filter 32 removes
high frequency noises from the electric signals. First
analogue-digital converter 33 transforms the noise-removed electric
signal from analogue component into digital component.
[0017] Second analogue-digital converter 34 transforms the electric
signal, which is output from temperature sensor TS, from analogue
component into digital component. Digital signal processor 35
outputs a difference from comparison between the digital signals
transformed by first and second analogue-digital converter 33 and
34, computing temperature values of respective parts on the
subject.
[0018] As an example, if internal module temperature detected by
temperature sensor TS is 10.degree. C. and temperature of a first
part of the subject, which is detected by first pixel P.sub.(1,1)
of thermopile array sensor 30 is 45.degree. C., a thermal
difference between them is calculated to determined the first
part's temperature as being 35.degree. C. As also, if temperature
of a second part of the subject, which is detected by second pixel
P.sub.(1,2) of thermopile array sensor 30 is 46.degree. C. when
internal module temperature detected by temperature sensor TS is
10.degree. C., a thermal difference between them is calculated to
determined the second part's temperature as being 36.degree. C.
[0019] After generating a thermal picture corresponding to those
thermal difference values respective to the parts of the subject,
it is represented on display device 36, such as monitor or others,
as exemplified in FIG. 4. Thereby, a user is able to identify a
thermal distribution state of the subject or other thermal
conditions thereof through the thermal picture represented on a
monitor or other display unit.
[0020] However, in detecting thermal conditions only from specific
parts of human body (e.g. forehead, ear, hand, or another part in
human body) by means of the aforementioned thermal picture
measurement units, it could be inconvenient on use because it is
necessary to carefully adjust a distance and angle between a
subject's part and the thermal picture measurement unit. If a
distance and angle for measurement is unsuitably adjusted, it will
result in a serious error in detecting temperature and/or thermal
distribution from a subject.
[0021] In order to make a general thermopile sensor have a
reasonable temperature value for thermal measurement by infrared
rays, it needs to detect temperature from a sensor itself before
obtaining a voltage output for temperature from a subject or
target. In the conventional art, as it is assumed that a sensor's
temperature is equal to its ambient temperature, the ambient
temperature is used as the sensor's one. Referring to the arts
disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,012,813, 6,056,435, 6,299,347,
6,499,877, 7,314,309 and 7,787,938, a temperature sensor detecting
its own temperature operates by the thermistor mode characterized
in nonlinear log function, so that it could be slower in response
rate and lower in accuracy of ambient temperature. Especially,
since only one sensor was used for measuring its own temperature,
it could be inevitable to result in lower accuracy on thermal
detection.
[0022] Otherwise, in the former U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,012,813,
6,056,435, 6,299,347, 6,499,877, 7,314,309 and 7,787,938 was
considered an ambient temperature value Ta applied to a conversion
formula of core temperature Tc as the resultant bodily temperature
in order to correct an actual bodily temperature in accordance with
thermal variation of the circumference. However, in case ambient
temperature goes down to be lower than 18.degree. C., it should be
additionally considered and corrected about thermal descent on the
skin because an optical part as well as the sensor becomes lower in
temperature and an operation amplifier of the system varies in
thermal coefficient.
[0023] Furthermore, with the former U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,012,813,
6,056,435, 6,299,347, 6,499,877, 7,314,309 and 7,787,938, it was
impossible to correct erroneous distance measurement arising from a
non-contacting mode because it was just capable to accept
one-channel (or one-pixel) information but the forms of array. Such
one-pixel information cannot provide any way of finding out an
actual distance from a subject to be detected. For instance, as
disclosed in PCT/IB2006/003859, it needs an additional subsidiary
for concentrating focuses onto a pair of light emission devices
(LED). Moreover, the prior non-contacting measurement is incapable
of detecting or correcting a shake or movement of a thermometer or
subject, the reason of which is caused from that thermal data only
by one pixel is insufficient to differentiate a subject's motion
from a thermal variation.
[0024] In the meantime, the prior arts U.S. Pat. No. 7,787,938 and
PCT/IB2006/003859 had to scan temperature by contacting a
thermometer to a forehead or by spacing a thermometer out in a
distance about 5 cm from a forehead in order to find a peak value
of the skin around the forehead. This is because it inevitable to
shift the thermometer toward a point of the highest temperature as
a sensor has only one pixel. But, there are personal differences in
distribution of temporal arteries, as like that the higher
temperature point is found around a forehead, around a mouth, or at
a temple. Consequently, the former technologies just provide means
for scanning a forehead and the around thereof, being insufficient
to scan and detect temperature from the whole face, so that it is
difficult to exactly detect temperature from a person who has
higher temperature at other facial points rather than his
forehead.
SUMMARY
[0025] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to provide a
device and method, using an infrared array sensor, capable of
measuring thermal pictures and bodily temperature more conveniently
and exactly by selecting specific parts of material or human body,
e.g. forehead, ear, hand, etc.
[0026] In an embodiment, a device for measuring temperature may
comprise: an infrared array sensor module configured to take
thermal picture information of a subject, including a plurality of
infrared sensors arranged in an array of pixels; an on-screen
display module configured to generate an indicator having a profile
corresponding to an entire or local shape of the subject and
defining a target point to be measured for temperature; a display
module configured to express the indicator and the thermal picture
information; and a controller configured to enable the infrared
array sensor module to measure the subject's temperature if the
target point displayed by the thermal picture information overlaps
with the indicator while the thermal picture information is
expressed on the display module along with the indicator.
[0027] This device may further comprise a camera module configured
to take image information. In this case, the display module may
overlap the image information with the indicator. The controller
may enable the infrared array sensor module to measure the
subject's temperature if the target point displayed by the thermal
picture information overlaps with the indicator while the image
information is expressed on the display module along with the
indicator.
[0028] In addition, the controller may determine that pixels
included in the indicator are valid pixels if the target point
overlaps with the indicator, and then calculate a resultant
temperature value of the subject with reference to temperature
values measured by infrared sensors respective to the valid pixels.
The controller may also calculate an ambient temperature value with
reference to temperature values measured by the infrared sensors
respective to other pixels except the valid pixels, and then
correct the resultant temperature value with reference to the
ambient temperature value.
[0029] In the meantime, the controller may, if temperature values
measured each by the infrared sensors are within a predetermined
temperature range, determine that pixels corresponding to the
infrared sensors are valid pixels, and calculate a resultant
temperature value of the subject with reference to temperature
values measured by the infrared sensors corresponding to the valid
pixels. And, the controller may calculate an ambient temperature
value from temperature values measured by infrared sensors
corresponding to other pixels except the valid pixels, and correct
the resultant temperature value of the subject with reference to
the ambient temperature value.
[0030] As another aspect of the present invention, a method for
measuring temperature may comprise the steps of: taking thermal
picture information of a subject by an infrared array sensor;
generating an indicator that has a profile to a target point of the
subject and displaying the indicator along with the thermal picture
information; measuring temperature from the subject by the infrared
array sensor if the target point displayed by the thermal picture
information overlaps with the indicator; and calculating and
displaying a resultant temperature value of the subject with
reference to temperature values measured by a plurality of infrared
sensors included in the infrared array sensor.
[0031] In an embodiment, a method for measuring temperature may
comprise the steps of: taking image information of a subject by a
camera module; generating an indicator that has a profile to a
target point of a subject and displaying the indicator along with
the image information; measuring temperature from the subject by
the infrared array sensor if the target point displayed by the
thermal picture information overlaps with the indicator; and
calculating and displaying a resultant temperature value of the
subject with reference to temperature values measured by a
plurality of infrared sensors included in the infrared array
sensor.
[0032] Especially, the step of calculating and displaying the
resultant temperature value may be comprised of: determining
pixels, which are included in the indicator, as valid pixels; and
calculating the resultant temperature value of the subject with
reference to temperature values measured by the infrared sensors
corresponding to the valid pixels. In this case, the step of
calculating and displaying the resultant temperature value is may
be comprised of: calculating an ambient temperature value from
temperature values measured by the infrared sensors corresponding
to other pixels except the valid pixels; and correcting the
resultant temperature value with reference to the ambient
temperature value.
[0033] In another embodiment, the step of calculating and
displaying the resultant temperature value may be comprised of:
determining that, if temperature values measured each by the
infrared sensors are within a predetermined temperature range,
pixels corresponding to the infrared sensors are valid pixels; and
calculating the resultant temperature value from temperature values
measured by the infrared sensors corresponding to the valid pixels.
In this case, the step of calculating and displaying the resultant
temperature value may be comprised of: calculating an ambient
temperature value from temperature values measured by the infrared
sensors corresponding to other pixels except the valid pixels; and
correcting the resultant temperature value with reference to the
ambient temperature value.
[0034] According to the device and method of the present invention,
for example, temperature at a specific part on an subject is
measured through an infrared sensor module, after displaying an
indicator corresponding to the specific part of the subject to be
detected in temperature, when a picture of the specific part on the
subject overlaps with an indicator. Therefore, temperature can be
detected at the optimum condition of distance and angle to the
subject, achieving more accurate measurement.
[0035] In addition, it is permissible to sort valid pixels to a
target point of a subject to be detected and measure accurate
temperature from the target point on basis of the valid pixel
selection. For instance, a user is able to select a specific part
of a person, e.g. forehead, ear, hand, etc., and measures
temperature from the specific part more conveniently and exactly,
enhancing reliability of measuring temperature and thermal
distribution as well as easiness on use.
[0036] Furthermore, it is possible to calculate the ambient
temperature value from invalid pixels around valid pixels and then
correct an infrared sensor's own value with reference to the
ambient temperature value. This enables more accurate correction
than the conventional that just calculate an ambient temperature
value by an internal temperature sensor, hence further raising
reliability for a result of thermal detection.
[0037] A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the
present invention herein may be realized by reference to the
remaining portions of the specification and the attached
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and
not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying
drawings and in which like reference numbers refer to similar
elements and in which:
[0039] FIG. 1 illustrates a thermal detection device employing a
pyroelectric sensor;
[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates a thermal detection device employing a
thermopile sensor;
[0041] FIG. 3 illustrates a thermopile array sensor module;
[0042] FIG. 4 illustrates a thermal picture measurement unit
employing a thermopile array sensor module;
[0043] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention
applied to a portable device;
[0044] FIG. 6 illustrates a configuration of a portable temperature
measurement device according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0045] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment displaying an indicator for
a human forehead;
[0046] FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment displaying an indicator for
a human ear;
[0047] FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment displaying an indicator for
a human hand;
[0048] FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment displaying
temperature of a specific part by a user's touch;
[0049] FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment displaying by overlay
between a thermal picture and a camera image for a human
forehead;
[0050] FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment for a portable
temperature measurement device according to the present
invention;
[0051] FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment displaying an indicator on
a translucent LCD screen for a human forehead;
[0052] FIG. 14 illustrates another embodiment of a portable
temperature measurement device according to the present
invention;
[0053] FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment printing various
indicators on different transparent glass windows; and
[0054] FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment printing an indicator on a
transparent glass window for a human forehead.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0055] Hereinafter, various exemplary embodiments about a device
and method for measuring temperature with infrared array sensor
will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0056] A device for measuring temperature with infrared array
sensor may be configured by exemplarily including an infrared array
sensor module, a camera module, and an electric circuit module
controlling the other componential modules. In the configuration,
the infrared array sensor module may be formed of a plurality of
infrared sensors (e.g. thermopile sensors) as like a thermopile
array sensor. The infrared sensors are arranged in an pixel array,
each corresponding to each pixel, to acquire thermal picture
information from a subject such as material or human body. The
camera module is used for obtaining image information from a
subject, including a camera device such as charge-coupled device
(CCD) or complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) camera. In
the mean time, as illustrated in FIG. 5, this device for
temperature measurement may be applied to a portable device
equipped with a camera module, a thermopile array sensor (TAS)
module, a display module, key buttons, and so on. The camera module
and the thermopile arrays sensor module, for instance, may be fixed
side by side in the opposite or same direction with the display
module. Otherwise, as shown in FIG. 5, the camera module and the
thermopile array sensor module may be installed to be rotatable
over 180.degree. by means of a revolving member, facing the
opposite or same direction with the display module.
[0057] Otherwise, the device for temperature measurement may be
fixedly set at a specific position of the portable device.
[0058] Now FIG. 6 will be referred to detail a configuration and
operation of the temperature measurement device according to the
present invention.
[0059] As aforementioned, the device can be organized including a
camera module, an infrared array sensor module and an electric
circuit module. In an embodiment, the camera module may be formed
of lens member 40 and CCD 41. The infrared array sensor module may
be formed of thermopile array sensor 53, amplifier (AMP) 54, low
pass filter (LPF), first analogue-digital converter (ADC) 56,
second analogue-digital converter (ADC) 57 and digital signal
processor (DSP) 58. The electric circuit module may be formed
including automatic gain controller (AGC) 42, digital signal
processor (DSP) 43, CCD driver 44, controller 50, storage 51 and
TAS driver 52.
[0060] The display module 50 may be used with a small LCD proper to
the portable device, especially with an LCD including a touch
screen in consideration for simplicity of key buttons and
convenience in use.
[0061] On display module 50 can be selectively represented camera
image information taken by CCD 41, thermal picture information
measured by thermopile array sensor 53, or an overlap with the
camera image and thermal picture information. Further, an indicator
provided from on-screen display (OSD) module 48, which will be
described later, may be overlapped with camera image and/or thermal
picture on display module 50. For this operation, controller 45
functions to control OSD module 48 in response to a user key input,
enabling various menu styles and OSD images (i.e. indicators in
multiple forms) to be expressed on display module 50.
[0062] As an example, if a user want to measure a thermal picture
only from a person's forehead (as a subject), controller 45 forces
OSD module 48, referring to FIG. 7, to express an indicator, which
has an edge line corresponding to a shape of the forehead, in
display module 50.
[0063] An indicator has a profile corresponding to the whole or
local shape of a subject. Here, a region expressed by an indicator
is defined as a target point (the whole or local region of a
subject) to be measured for exact temperature by a user.
Information about concrete shape and displayed point of an
indicator is reserved and managed in storage 51 in advance on basis
of a beforehand experimental result so as to provide an appropriate
ranges of distance and angle for measurement to the forehead.
[0064] Controller 45 also forces switch (SW) 49, while an indicator
is being shown, to enable camera image information of CCD 41 and
thermal picture information of the thermopile array sensor to be
overlapped on display module 50. Then, a user adjusts the
forehead's part, which is displayed by a camera image, to match
with an edge line of the indicator.
[0065] When a user pushes a key button for measurement after
matching the forehead part with the indicator through the
aforementioned process, controller 45 may enable thermopile array
sensor 53 by controlling TAS driver 52.
[0066] An electric signal output from thermopile array sensor 53 is
processed as the thermal picture information by way of amplifier
54, low pass filter 55, first analogue-digital converter 56, and
digital signal processor 58. This thermal picture information means
temperature values acquired first by the plural thermopile sensors.
Controller 45 calculates and converts the electric signal values,
which are each detected by the thermopile sensors, with reference
to the sensor correction data that have been stored in advance.
Controller 45 can also make display 50 express the thermal picture
information that varies in color depending upon a temperature value
measured by pixel.
[0067] During this, for rendering each pixel value of the
thermopile array sensor to have a reasonable temperature value, an
additional sensor is used for measuring internal sensor temperature
that is applied to compensating a temperature value obtained by
each infrared sensor. In other words, first assuming that internal
sensor temperature is identical to ambient temperature around a
subject, the value taken by each pixel (i.e. each infrared sensor
corresponding thereto) is corrected upon which an internal sensor
temperature measured by the additional sensor of the infrared
sensor is the ambient temperature.
[0068] Here, as using a thermistor sensor of nonlinear logarithmic
function as a temperature sensor degrades accuracy of measurement
for sensor itself, the present invention employs for example a
proportional-to-absolute temperature (PTAT) sensor characterized in
linear operation with the first order function to enhance accuracy
of temperature measurement for sensor itself. With the PTAT sensor,
a process for compensating a temperature value can be easier.
[0069] In an embodiment, all of four PTAT sensors are settled
respectively at the corners of the thermopile array sensor. Then,
by adopting an average temperature value of the PTAT sensor as
sensor temperature, measured values are corrected. While finally
choosing the average value of the four PTAT sensors, there is a
condition before accepting the average value. That is, a stable
condition is not recognized until temperature distribution ranges
of the PTAT sensors are all measured within the scope of
.+-.0.2.degree. C., then the average value is taken and finally
used as a value of the internal sensor temperature.
[0070] In the meantime, while thermal picture information (i.e. a
subject's thermal picture) or image information (i.e. a subject's
camera image) is being expressed on display module 50 together with
an indicator, a user adjusts a position of the device or the
subject to overlap a target point of the subject with the
indicator. After that, temperature is measured to the target point
of the subject. During this, for exact temperature measurement to
the target point, the following way according to the present
invention is carried out to detect temperature from the
subject.
[0071] In an embodiment, with determination that pixels placed
within an indicator overlapping a target point of a subject are
`valid pixels`, the resultant temperature value is calculated based
on temperature values detected by the thermopile sensors
corresponding to these valid pixels. Exemplarily, for an 8.times.8
array sensor, 64 pixel values are obtained in total.
[0072] Since all of pixel data cannot be reasonable, pixels to be
effectively used for temperature measurement are determined as
valid pixels. Referring to FIG. 7, among 8.times.8 pixels of
thermopile array sensor 53, those corresponding to the forehead
defined by the indicator, e.g. P.sub.(5.3), P.sub.(5,4),
P.sub.(5,5), P.sub.(5,6), P.sub.(6,3), P.sub.(6,4), P.sub.(6,5) and
P.sub.(6,6), are only selected as valid pixels and used for
calculating bodily temperature of the person as a subject.
[0073] During this, if the measurement is carried out such that a
thermometer is spaced beyond a reference distance from a subject's
face, it is difficult to acquire exact temperature values because a
pixels region covered by the sensor is extended due to a broadened
field of view (FOV). Therefore, such valid pixels can be obtained
by confining the subject's face within the reference distance.
Especially, in the temperature measurement device according to the
present invention, a distance and angle for measurement can be
first adjusted appropriately to a subject by matching the subject's
target point, which is represented in thermal picture information
(or camera image information), with an edge line of an
indicator.
[0074] In another embodiment for pixel validation, pixels whose
data are within a predetermined temperature range (e.g.
30.0.about.40.0.degree. C. for human body) are determined as valid
pixels. Thus, other pixel data out of the temperature range are
abandoned from the measurement because they are not relative to a
human body.
[0075] Meantime, as it is difficult to obtain an exact temperature
value if the a subject is shaking too much, the following way is
permissible to determine valid pixels so as to conduct measurement
in a stabilized condition by finding a status of movement.
[0076] In an embodiment, at the beginning of measurement with
8.times.8 sensors, 64 temperature values are taken per frame from
the thermopile array sensor. Each frame may be an aggregation of
pixel data. A movement of the subject can be found by comparing
signals provided in the unit of frame.
[0077] For instance, assuming that 2 frame signals are defined as
x(i) and y(i) by a cross-correlation mode, a cross-correlation
value r to a delay value d between the frames may be given by:
r ( d ) = i [ ( x ( i ) - mx ) .times. ( y ( i - d ) - my ) ] i ( x
( i ) - mx ) 2 i ( y ( i ) - my ) 2 ##EQU00001##
[0078] From the equation, the parameters mx and my mean average
values for 2 frames. A pixel value, which is an x-axis value of a
part where a peak appears among these cross-correlation values,
represents a shift distance as a delayed value of two frames.
[0079] Exemplarily, if an x-axis value of a part where a peak of
the cross-correlation value appears is -2, this means there is a
shift by 2 pixels. The sign "-" represents that an image at frame
#2 is shifted upward. And, with a pixel size and a data acquisition
time between frames, a shift rate of a subject can be obtained
through a short operation.
[0080] In this embodiment, if a time for measurement is set to be 2
seconds, a subject should be restricted in the minimum motion for
the 2 seconds. Further, by restricting a shift distance within 2
pixels by means of the aforementioned cross-correlation mode, a
normal resultant value of temperature measurement can be instructed
only when both x- and y-peak values of the cross-correlation are
less than .+-.2.
[0081] The aforementioned pixel validation may be carried out
independently or duplicated. In an embodiment, pixels included in
an indicator are first determined as valid ones and next the
resultant valid pixels having temperature values included in the
human temperature range are chosen from the first selected pixels.
Additionally, if the number of valid pixels does not correspond to
a predetermined range, it is inducible to resume the temperature
measurement with regard for that the former measurement has been
carried out beyond the reference distance.
[0082] According to embodiments of the present invention, while a
distance and angle for measurement can be first adjusted by overlap
between a subject's thermal picture (or a camera image) and an
indicator, it is possible to more improve the accuracy of distance
adjustment by additionally conducting the aforementioned pixel
validation.
[0083] Controller 45 determines valid pixels in the manner
described above and calculates the resultant temperature value
detected from a subject with reference to the valid pixels' data
(i.e. temperature values measured by the infrared sensors
corresponding to the valid pixels).
[0084] In addition, according to this invention, ambient
temperature can be measured more exactly with reference to other
pixels but valid pixels, through which the resultant temperature
value can be corrected more precisely.
[0085] First, assuming that `Ts` represents a temperature
conversion value according to a detection amount of infrared rays
measured by the infrared sensors each forming the pixels and that
`Tpyro` represents an internal sensor temperature value measured by
the temperature sensor, pixel data `Tp` corresponding respectively
to the infrared sensors is equal to a sum of Ts and Tpyro (i.e.,
Tp=Ts+Tpyro). Therefore, a thermal picture is first displayed based
on each pixel data like the aforementioned.
[0086] Next, after correspondingly generating an indicator at a
target point marked by a subject's thermal picture (taken by the
infrared array sensor) or image (taken by the camera), the
indicator is controlled to overlap the thermal picture or camera
image. Then, controller 45 enables the infrared array sensor to
measure temperature from the subject.
[0087] During this, controller 45 determines valid pixels in the
aforementioned manner. And, an ambient temperature value `Tamb` is
calculated from pixel data of other pixels (invalid pixels) but the
valid pixels. Tamb may be given by a function of invalid pixel data
Tpn and Tpyro (Tamb=f(Tpn,Tpyro)). With this ambient temperature
value, each valid pixel data Tpe can be compensated. Compensated
valid pixel data Tpec may be given by a function of the valid pixel
data Tpe before compensation and the ambient temperature value Tamb
(Tpec=f(Tpe,Tamb)). Thus, the resultant temperature value can be
output from the compensated valid pixel data.
[0088] Although internal sensor temperature is measured relatively
and exactly by means of the PTAT sensor, it can be basically
different from ambient temperature. Therefore, for exact
temperature measurement to a subject's target point, it needs a
circumstance where a value of Tpyro on which Tp is based is similar
to ambient temperature around the subject. In the prior arts, as
there has not been proposed any other proper way for accurately
measuring ambient temperature around a subject, it is just
recommended to conduct temperature detection after leaving a
thermometer for a long time in a circumstance at which its
temperature measurement device will be used. Different from that,
according to the present invention, Tp is first valued from Tpyro
on, in which a subject's ambient temperature value can be
calculated with reference to data of invalid pixels, but valid
pixels, against the circumstance thereof. For instance, if ambient
temperature value Tamb is different from a value of Tpyro,
controller 45 may inform a user, through display module 50 or
another notifying means (e.g. speaker, etc), of an inadequate
circumstance for temperature measurement. Further, controller 45
may compare ambient temperature value Tamb with Tpyro. If an error
resulting from the comparison is within a predetermined range,
controller 45 determines a current circumstance as suitable for
temperature measurement, guiding a user thereto.
[0089] In an embodiment, ambient temperature values calculated from
invalid pixels can be used for correcting valid pixel data and the
corrected valid pixel data can be used for calculating the
resultant temperature of a subject. For instance, in case of
detecting bodily temperature, data taken by the thermopile sensors
corresponding each to valid pixels is a temperature value on a
subject's face. This face temperature is lower than an actual
bodily temperature, so it is necessary to conduct a process for
converting the face temperature value into the actual bodily
temperature value, as follows.
[0090] For the purpose of obtaining a relation between actual
bodily temperature and pixel temperature taken by the infrared
sensors, a clinical experiment was conducted with 200 persons
(normal 100 and feverish 100). The experiment was progressing by
first collecting pixel temperature values through the array sensors
of the device according to the present invention and taking
temperature of oral cavities through contacting electronic
thermometers used in hospitals, during which temperature
measurement was carried out 5 times in all.
[0091] From clinical data collected by the experiment, while data
of the array sensor are fully 64 if the pixels are formed in
8.times.8, valid pixels are chosen as stated above and then the
maximum values indicating the highest temperature values among the
array sensor data (or pixel data) are used as face temperature
values on the subjects. After obtaining averages of the maximum
values from the 5-times array sensor data collected by the
subjects, these averages are applied to a comparison table along
with averages of the 5-times oral cavity temperature values. A
resultant conversion table is obtained by setting an X axis for
face temperature values (the maximum values of the pixel data)
while setting Y axis for the oral cavity temperature values. The
conversion table is composed in a form of look-up table (LUT)
programmed into a ROM of a microprocessor, in which actual
temperature value is calculated by putting the measured values into
the X axis and then converting the Y-axis values through linear
interpolation.
[0092] In an embodiment, controller 45 may help exact measurement
to face temperature values by granting a weight for data before
converting valid pixel data into bodily temperature values if
ambient temperature values taken by invalid pixels is lower than
16.degree.. Additionally, controller 45 may even exclude pixel data
of the highest and lowest temperature, for data accuracy, in
outputting an average temperature value of valid pixels.
[0093] According to embodiments of the present invention, it is
achievable for accurate temperature measurement by pixel
validation, ambient temperature compensation, bodily temperature
conversion with look-up table. Especially, since the plurality of
infrared sensors each capable of detecting temperature to local
points are correspondingly arranged in pixels of array, it is
possible to exactly measure a subject's bodily temperature with
reference to pixel data obtained from once taking thermal picture
without moving the device.
[0094] In an embodiment, controller 45 enables OSD module 48 to
express letters for the calculated average temperature (e.g.
36.7.degree.) on display module 50. Thus, a user is able to select
the forehead in convenience and obtain a thermal picture therefrom,
as well as measuring temperature corresponding to the forehead.
[0095] Moreover, controller 45 is operable to control detector 46
to take a forehead profile by scanning a digitized camera image and
then begin thermal picture measurement at the time when the camera
image matches with the indicator.
[0096] On display module 50 can be expressed, as illustrated in
FIG. 7, a menu item for camera images (e.g. Vamera'), a menu item
for an overlap with a camera image and a thermal picture (e.g.
`Overlay`), a menu item for a result of temperature measurement
(e.g. `Temp`), and a menu item for a thermal picture taken by the
thermopile array sensor (e.g. `TAS`).
[0097] From display module 50, a user is also able to identify and
handle other items, i.e., a current indicator (e.g. Torehead'), a
selection item for another indicator such as ear, hand, etc. (e.g.
left and right arrows), and a selection item for beginning the
thermal measurement (e.g. `Enter`).
[0098] In an embodiment, controller 45 enables OSD module 48 to
display an indictor that is requested as another one by a user who
pushes down the selection item or another key button.
[0099] For example, referring to FIG. 8, if a user wants to measure
temperature from a human ear, controller 45 enables OSD module 48
to express an ear-shaped indicator on display module 50. During
this, pixels (e.g. P.sub.(2,4), P.sub.(2,5), P.sub.(3,4),
P.sub.(3,5), P.sub.(4,4), P.sub.(4,5), P.sub.(5,4), P.sub.(5,5),
P.sub.(6,4), P.sub.(6,5), P.sub.(7,4) and P.sub.(7,5))
corresponding to the ear among the thermopile array sensors of
8.times.8 are selected as valid pixels to calculate their
temperature value.
[0100] As also, referring to FIG. 9, if a user wants to measure
temperature from a human hand, controller 45 enables OSD module 48
to express a hand-shaped indicator on display module 50.
[0101] During this, pixels (e.g. P.sub.(2,3), P.sub.(2,4),
P.sub.(2,5), P.sub.(3,3), P.sub.(3,4), P.sub.(3,5), P.sub.(4,3),
P.sub.(4,4), P.sub.(4,5), P.sub.(5,2), P.sub.(5,3), P.sub.(5,4),
P.sub.(5,5), P.sub.(6,2), P.sub.(6,3), P.sub.(6,4), P.sub.(6,5),
P.sub.(6,6), P.sub.(7,3), P.sub.(7,4), P.sub.(7,5) and P.sub.(7,6))
corresponding to the ear among the thermopile array sensors of
8.times.8 are selected as valid pixels to calculate their
temperature values.
[0102] Now referring to FIG. 10, if a user requests, controller 45
may calculate the resultant temperature value from an average
temperature value (e.g. 36.7.degree.) of the valid pixels and then
express the average temperature value on display module 50.
Controller 45 may also enable to coincidentally display the highest
and lowest temperature values (e.g. 36.9.degree. and 36.5.degree.)
of the valid pixels.
[0103] Furthermore, in the course of calculating the resultant
temperature value from the average temperature value, controller 45
may exclude the highest and lowest temperature values to stabilize
the average, or grant a higher weight (e.g. 120%) to temperature
values of pixels disposed at the center of the valid pixels while a
lower weight (e.g. 80%) to temperature values of peripheral
pixels.
[0104] In case of employing an LCD with touch screen function for
display 50, as illustrated in FIG. 10, when a user touches a
specific position on the LCD, controller 45 also enables OSD module
48 to mark a temperature value (e.g. 36.8.degree.) of a pixel (e.g.
T.sub.(6,5)) corresponding to the specific position after finding a
coordinate of the position.
[0105] Additionally, referring to FIG. 11, if a user selects the
menu item of `Overlay`, controller 45 enables overlaying part 47
and switch 49 to overlapping a camera image and a thermal picture
on display module 50. Therefore, a use is able to easily identify
thermal distribution at the forehead.
[0106] Meanwhile, if a temperature value measured by the
aforementioned process is determined as abnormal out of the
predetermined reference temperature range, controller 45 enables
storage 51 to reserve information about camera image, thermal
picture and temperature in order to make a user replay and watch
them.
[0107] In an embodiment, the temperature measurement device
according to the present invention may be additionally provided
with a wired or wireless communication module. In this case,
controller 45 may transfer information of camera image, thermal
picture and temperature from storage 51 to a computer or server
coupled thereto by way of a wired or wireless communication
network.
[0108] As another embodiment according to the present invention,
referring to FIG. 12, a device for temperature measurement may be
comprised of a translucent LCD as the display module.
[0109] In this case, a user is able to directly identify a
subject's shape, instead of a camera image, exposed through a
transparent or translucent LCD in the naked eye. During this, on
the transparent or translucent LCD can be reflected a variety of
indicators proposed as above. For instance, referring to FIG. 13,
when an indicator illustrating a human forehead is representing on
the transparent or translucent LCD, a user is able to suitably
adjust a distance and angle for measurement by handling coherence
between a target point and the indicator while directly watching a
subject's shape, which is being transmitted through the LCD, in the
naked eye.
[0110] And, if the user pushes down a key for taking a thermal
picture, as described in conjunction with FIG. 7, a process for
measuring the thermal picture and temperature is carried out by way
of pixel validation, ambient temperature compensation and so
on.
[0111] In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 14, a temperature
measurement device according to the present invention may be
comprised of a transparent glass window along with an LCD as the
display module,
[0112] In this embodiment, a cheaper small or translucent LCD may
be provided at the top of the transparent glass window, displaying
the least message. On the transparent glass window can be printed
an indicator with a shape in a form of label. For instance,
referring to FIG. 15, a user is able to change a label in which
another indicator is printed.
[0113] Then, the user is able to properly adjust a distance and
angle for measurement so as to match a target point of a subject
with the indicator printed on the transparent glass window, looking
at the subject's shape, instead of a camera image, transmitted
through the transparent glass window in the naked eye. For example,
as illustrated in FIG. 16, when an indicator corresponding to a
human forehead is printed on the transparent glass window, a user
is able to adjust a distance and angle suitable for the forehead
while looking at the subject's shape through the transparent glass
window in the naked eye.
[0114] Therefore, as a thermal picture can be measured in
convenience and accuracy by selecting a specific part of a person,
e.g. forehead, ear, hand, etc., it enhances easiness on use and
further improves reliability of measuring temperature and thermal
distribution.
[0115] The foregoing is illustrative of exemplary embodiments and
is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few
exemplary embodiments have been described, those skilled in the art
will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in
exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel
teachings and advantages. Accordingly, all such modifications are
intended to be included within the scope of this invention as
defined in the claims.
* * * * *