Patent Application
20140243700
In recent years, infrared thermometers have come into wide use for detection of temperature. One such infrared thermometer presented in U.S. Pat. No. 6,292,685 (incorporated by referenced in its entirety) is depicted in
To locate the temporal artery, a temperature sensor, preferably a radiation detector 20, is scanned across the side of the forehead over the temporal artery while electronics in the detector search for the peak reading which indicates the temporal artery. Preferably, that temperature reading is then further processed in accordance with an algorithm specific to the temporal artery for providing a display temperature which may, for example, correspond to core, oral or rectal temperature.
Thermometers, such as the one described above, may be used to obtain a large number of temperature readings in a short period of time. For example, runners at a marathon may have their temperatures read at the end of a race. Likewise, in the case of a disease outbreak temperature readings of many people may be taken in a screening process.
Typically, a person manually obtains a body temperature, associates the data to an individual, and stores the data (e.g., in a log book). The larger the group of people, the larger the list of individuals and corresponding data. For example, marathon runners typically have bibs having identifying numbers. The body temperature data of each runner is detected using a preferred temperature detector, such as a temporal artery thermometer using an arterial heat balance approach, and association with the individual's number. After collecting the body temperature data in a log, the body temperature data is input into a processor, such as a laptop, for processing.
In an example embodiment of the present invention, an identifier of an individual is determined and the individual's temperature is taken with a temperature detector. The individual's body temperature data and identifier are transmitted over a wireless communications path to a processor. By transmitting data over a wireless communications path, a large group of data may be collected and analyzed efficiently.
An individual's unique identifier may be determined by an identification reader, such as a laser diode based scanner, LED contact scanner, optical scanner, magnetic scanner, a bar code reader, a magnetic strip reader, character reader, or keypad input device. The body temperature data and identifier are stored in memory of a processor.
The temperature may be displayed to a user on a thermometer, a computer or both. The display may for example, be of individual data or be a histogram of computed data. It is useful to note that the thermometer and computer may be operated by one or multiple users (e.g., one user taking the temperature and another user using the laptop computer).
In one convenient implementation, the temperature detector and identification reader are both compiled through respective electronic cables to a wireless transmission. For further convenience the reader and detector may be joined by a hook and loop connector such as VELCRO™. Similarly, other connectors, such as a snap fit connector, may be used to join the reader and detector.
The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particular description of example embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating embodiments of the present invention.
A description of example embodiments of the invention follows.
In this example embodiment, the temperature detector 210 obtains a temperature reading from a body portion 205. For example, an internal core temperature can be computed using an arterial heat balance. The teachings of calculating body temperature data is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,292,685, which is hereby incorporated by referenced. It is useful to note embodiments of the present invention are not limited to temporal artery readings. Instead, any type of temperature detector may be used, including axillary, ear, or non radiation detectors. Moreover, the processor 220, instead of a thermometer, may also calculate the temperature reading upon receiving the raw temperature data such as heat flux and ambient temperature data.
After obtaining the temperature, the temperature is sent to a wireless device 240. The wireless device 240 obtains an identifier 235 using, for example a keypad or reader (not shown). In an convenient embodiment, the wireless device 240 uses a strap 238 that allows for portability of the device. The wireless device 240 transmits the temperature data and the identifier 235 over a communications path 215 to a processor 220. Upon receiving the temperature data and the identifier 235, the processor 220 may associate a time and/or date to the data. The processor 220 may be a laptop, desktop, portable device, or other device used to receive, process, and analyze data. The processor may display the temperature reading and the identifier 235 on the processor display 225. In operation, a user (not shown) uses the processor display 225 for reviewing the data of one or more temperature detectors. For example multiple temperature detectors (as many as the communications protocol allows) may be transmitting data to a computer over a wireless communications path. By transmitting data over a wireless communications path, a large group of data may be collected and analyzed from one or more detector units. One advantage of measuring a large group of data and using a screening process, for example, is a user may predict an outbreak in a geographic area. For example, a histogram may be obtained for a location allowing for early detection of an outbreak. It is useful to note that the data may also be processed before transmission to the processor.
The processor 220 receives the temperature and the identifier 235 via a wireless communications path 215. Upon receiving the temperature and the identifier 235, the processor 220 begins a software application (not shown) to display the data. The software application displays the temperature and the identifier 235 data in the processor display 225. The processor display 225 may, for example, include a temperature and a barcode reading for one or more readings of each of many individuals including histogram data, a warning if temperature is above the user-specified high-temperature limit, a history of temperature and time for a particular individual, an aggregate data collection, or other relevant data.
In particular, data may be used to evaluate screening programs at airports, schools, factories and other populated environments, during perceived potential epidemics for persons who may be at risk for transmitting epidemic diseases. Such evaluations may be aided by the analysis of the data statistically to identify persons with unexpectedly high temperatures, indicating possible fever. Such identified persons would be detained briefly for closer examination by a medically trained person. The data would allow use of mathematical optimization routines which would maximize the sensitivity for detecting sick individuals to prevent the spread of disease, while minimizing false positives, which unnecessarily inconveniences people and adds delay.
In particular embodiments, data may be used to alert medical professionals of high or low temperatures. More specifically, aggregate data may be used for early detection of outbreaks where high temperature is an indicator. For example, aggregate data may be used to determine how marathon runners or other population behave physiologically with respect to weather, distance run, time, or some other factor.
In the case of marathons, runner bibs typically have a human readable number and a corresponding mach readable bar code. The bar code is scanned and the resulting signals are decoded into the ASCII characters, which were originally encoded into the bar code. Barcodes can be read by optical scanners called barcode readers or scanned from an image by special software. In alternative embodiments, a laser diode based scanner, LED contact scanner, optical or magnetic scanner, character reader, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), or other suitable reader may be used. In particular embodiments, a reader includes a transmission device to interact directly with a processor.
The transmitter establishes a wireless connection using BLUETOOTH™, infrared or other suitable communication protocol. BLUETOOTH™ is an industrial specification for wireless Personal Area Networks (PANs). BLUETOOTH™ provides a way to connect and exchange information between devices such as mobile phones, laptops, PCs, printers, digital cameras, and video game consoles over a secure, globally unlicensed short-range radio frequency. The BLUETOOTH™ specifications are developed and licensed by the BLUETOOTH™ Special Interest Group.
In particular embodiments, the corresponding apparatus includes a temporal artery thermometer, a barcode reader, a BLUETOOTH™ transmitter and a BLUETOOTH™ enabled laptop. The thermometer and a barcode reader are connected by retractile cords to an enclosure for battery power and a BLUETOOTH™ radio transmitter. The temperature and barcode data is sent via a wireless serial connection, such as a BLUETOOTH™ protocol, to a laptop, where the data is displayed and collected.
It should be understood that any of the processes disclosed herein, such as transmitting body temperature data, or the flow diagram of
While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to example embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/728,956, filed Mar. 27, 2007, the substance of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11728956 | Mar 2007 | US |
| Child | 14139748 | US |
