BODY TEMPERATURE DETECTION SAFETY KIOSK

Abstract

A portable or semi-portable kiosk configured as a human body temperature scanning device, connected to a network that is also linked to a health history database and configured to allow or deny access to a building to a user.

Claims

1. A kiosk comprising: a front surface area comprising a screen, a camera, a microphone, a speaker, an identification means, and a slot area; the slot area further comprising an inner left surface area comprising an at least one laser and a temperature sensor, an inner right surface area comprising an at least one laser, said at least one laser on said left inner surface configured to generate a laser circle and said at least one laser on said right inner surface configured to generate a laser cross wherein the laser cross lines converge at a point approximately one and one-half inches above where an imaginary perpendicular line emanating from said temperature sensor would be and 1.5 cm from the face of said sensor; and an internal processor and software configured to access a network, access said screen, said camera, said microphone, said speaker, said identification means, said lasers, said temperature sensor, and configured to initially identify an individual, confirm said individual's identity and permissions, access said individual's medical records, take said individual's wrist temperature upon said individual placing his exposed wrist at the convergence of the laser lights; analyze taking into account for current environmental conditions, compare said wrist temperature with said individual's medical records, determine the likelihood of present infectious state of said individual, and allow or deny access through a perimeter barrier mechanism; all of the foregoing performed in an automated fashion and without the need for the individual to make contact with any component.

2. The kiosk of claim 1, wherein said slot area is replaced with a hole.

3. The kiosk of claim 1, wherein, said kiosk is mounted on a pedestal.

4. The kiosk of claim 1 wherein it is configured to be built-in to an existing wall near an entryway.

5. The kiosk of claim 1 wherein said internal processor and software is further configured to update a user's electronic data with the current data gathered.

6. The kiosk of claim 1 wherein it further comprises an eye canthus thermal imaging camera and facial recognition isolation of the eye canthus for a proper eye canthus reading.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the front upper functional part of a kiosk (1) is presented wherein on the left side there is a screen (2) comprising certain features which could be an infrared light camera (3), a visible light camera (4), an at least one visible light supplement lamp (5) (two are present in this iteration), an infrared light supplement lamp (6), a microphone (8), a ‘pass-through’ indicator (9), a card reading area (which could be for magnetic strip security cards, RFID cards and/or QR Code cards and the like) (10), a speaker (11), a reset button (12), and a USB interface port (13), and on the right side is an extension arm (for housing part of the converging laser system described below) creating a space between the functional left side and the right side termed here as the slot area (7).

[0027] FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the backside of the kiosk is presented wherein it comprises a network interface (20), a power input (21), a computer interface connector (22) and tamper proof button (23).

[0028] FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the upper front facing functional part of a kiosk (1) is presented wherein on the left side there is a screen (2) comprising certain features as shown in FIG. 1, with an added facial recognition port (19) and shown here supported by a telescoping pedestal base.

[0029] FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the upper functional part of a kiosk (1) and the slot area (7) is further depicted showing where a preferred placement of the wrist of a user would go (14) and using laser lines (15) and angles to assist the user in positioning the wrist in that location.

[0030] FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of the present disclosure in a perspective view wherein the upper functional part of a kiosk (1) and the slot area (7) is further depicted showing a preferred placement of a left side laser (16) to assist in wrist placement at a position relative to an infrared wrist temperature sensor (17).

[0031] FIG. 6 depicts one embodiment of the present disclosure in an alternate perspective view wherein the upper functional part of a kiosk (1) and the slot area (7) is further depicted showing a preferred placement of a right side laser (18) to assist in wrist placement at a position relative to a temperature sensor (not seen as it is hidden in this view—see FIG. 5).

[0032] FIG. 7 depicts one embodiment of the present disclosure in a perspective view wherein the upper functional part of a kiosk (1) and the slot area (7) is further depicted showing a preferred placement of a left side laser (16) to assist in wrist placement at a position relative to an infrared wrist temperature sensor (17).

[0033] FIG. 8 depicts one embodiment of the present disclosure in an alternate perspective view wherein the upper functional part of a kiosk (1) and the slot area (7) is further depicted showing a preferred placement of a right side laser (18) to assist in wrist placement at a position relative to a temperature sensor (not seen as it is hidden in this view—see FIG. 7).

[0034] FIG. 9 depicts one embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the inside surface area of the left side of the front functional part of the kiosk forming the slot area comprising a laser (16) and a wrist temperature sensor (17) is depicted in a preferred embodiment and illustrating relative placements.

[0035] FIG. 10 depicts one embodiment of the present disclosure in an alternate perspective, almost side view wherein the upper functional part of a kiosk (1) and the slot area (7) is depicted showing a preferred placement of a left side laser (16) to assist in wrist placement at a position relative to a temperature sensor (not seen), the screen (2) and the general orientation and angles as further detailed below.

[0036] FIG. 11 depicts one embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the inside surface area of the left side of the front functional part of the kiosk forming the slot area comprising a left side laser (16) and a wrist temperature sensor (17) is depicted in a preferred embodiment and illustrating general relative placement and angles relative to the front surface screen (2) and as more detailed with specific dimensions below.

[0037] FIG. 12 depicts one embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the functionality of the kiosk as described in embodiments herein is facilitated through a mobile device application that would belong to a user and be personal to a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] For clarity of disclosure, and not by way of limitation, the detailed description of the invention is divided into the following subsections that describe or illustrate certain features, embodiments or applications of the present invention.

Definitions

[0039] “kiosk” as used herein means any support mechanism comprising a housing to contain the various other components as described. It can be a freestanding taller support, standing on a floor, or a shorter support, standing on a desk, counter or other surface, and is generally portable. However, some kiosks may be bolted in place for security or built into other structures such as a wall to provide a permanent or semi-permanent station.

[0040] “wrist temperature sensor” as used herein means any device which can determine a body temperature in a non-contact manner when in close proximity to an area of skin designed to take a reading. In a preferred embodiment, this would refer to an infrared wrist temperature sensor device.

[0041] “laser” as used herein means any consistent, non-dangerous, streamlined light ray that can be utilized to determine and illustrate a preferred position for an object in a certain area of space.

[0042] “converging laser system” as used herein means any plurality of lasers used to create a specific area in space within which to place an object (such as a wrist) to ensure correct placement for optimal functionality of other components.

[0043] “network” as used herein means any open or closed association of computer devices connected via some mechanism, such as the Internet, an Extranet, Ethernet, a server connected to peripheral devices, and the like, and communication may be via any mechanism, such as wired connection, WiFi, Bluetooth®, and the like.

The System and Method of the Present Invention

[0044] An apparatus as described herein may comprise one solid contiguous device with no extraneous or moving parts to jiggle, wobble, get lost, or entangled in material with the various described components set into a framework. The apparatus is designed to be used in a static manner, as a freestanding kiosk, or as a desktop model, or could also be a permanent, or semi-permanent built-in model. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus and components as described herein could be modular and capable of connecting and disconnecting as desired.

[0045] In one embodiment, the kiosk as described herein provides an automated, non-contact, wrist scanning system capable of determining a body temperature from such wrist scan. In one embodiment, the wrist scanning system works optimally wherein the wrist is in a particular position relative to the wrist scanning system that, but for the teachings herein, would be difficult to achieve consistently or without sometimes also bumping and contacting the device itself to the user's skin. In one embodiment, to achieve the particular best position (the exposed surface of the wrist centered perpendicular to and 1 cm-3 cm away from the sensor eye), a harmless, converging laser system is concurrently used to identify the exact location in space where this area exists. In one embodiment, audible instructions can be provided to a user in order to alert the user of how to place their wrist in the slot area based on the laser positioning system.

[0046] In one embodiment, in order to achieve the converging laser system, there must be a laser from at least two points, one point on either side of the wrist position area. In order to achieve this, in one embodiment here, provided is a slot area (7) as shown in the Figures, notably FIG. 4. In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 4, one left side laser (16) is configured to project a portion of a laser dot or circle (15) from the left inner surface of the slot area, a second right side laser (18) is configured to project a corresponding portion of a laser dot or circle (15) crossing from the right inner surface of the slot area, and the two light lines of the cross converge at a point (and cross) 1.5 inches above, and centered perpendicularly from, an imaginary perpendicular line emanating from the infrared wrist temperature sensor eye (17), and 1.5 cm from the left inner surface of the slot area to create a wrist placement area (14). Referring to FIG. 7, an imaginary dot placed at the center of the wrist placement area (15), would be approximately 1.5 cm below where the laser convergence point is and perpendicularly in line with the infrared wrist sensory eye (17). To achieve this, in this embodiment, the left side laser (16) emanates from a point that is approximately centered, front to back, of the inner side of the left portion of the unit forming the slot area, and approximately 3.372 in down from the top of the unit and 5.00 in above the infrared wrist sensor eye (17), and angled to project approximately 17.88° from the side wall. The right side laser (18) emanates from a point that is approximately centered, front to back, of the inner side of the right portion of the unit forming the slot area, and approximately 2.00 in down from the top of the unit and angled to project approximately 37.10° from the side wall. In one embodiment, the converging laser system utilizes a cross pattern and a dot or circle and when the dot or circle is in the center of the cross, then the alignment is correct and one line in the cross orients the hand, wrist, and arm perpendicular to the wrist sensor eye and the crossing line in the cross orients in the horizontal location of the writs sensor eye. The combination of the circle or dot provides the third dimension in space. In one embodiment, the slot area is approximately 4.5 in wide, the left side of the system comprising the screen, is approximately 8 in wide and the right side is approximately 3 in wide at its widest part. In one embodiment, the unit is approximately 5 in thick, front to back at its lower portion and tapering thinner as it ascends toward the top of the unit to approximately 2 in thick, front to back at the top portion, with the front surface, including the screen, angled from front to back. In one embodiment, from the lower portion of the slot area, to the top of the left side of the unit is approximately 15 in.

[0047] In one embodiment, the kiosk will comprise a screen (2), which can be utilized to provide the user instructions on use and report to the user certain results; a camera (4), which can be utilized in conjunction with facial recognition software to identify and store the identity of a user (or have a dedicated facial recognition port (19)); a speaker (11), which can be utilized to provide audible instructions, and also to communicate live with a user; a microphone (8), which can be utilized by a user to interact with automated instructions and/or used to communicate live with an administrator; and an additional feature such as a card reader (10), a device that can scan a QR code, a magnetic security card, an RFID card, and the like, to further identify a user and unlock other pre-enabled features and/or identify medical records, provide permissions, start a process, and the like.

[0048] In one embodiment, the kiosk, through a camera component and facial recognition software, will be able to recognize pre-enabled users upon such user walking up to the kiosk, and store additional facial features as newly learned. In this manner, the kiosk can save time as to expected entrants at a threshold.

[0049] In one embodiment, software will be configured to enable the automatic lifting of an entryway gate, undo a door lock, and the like, to provide entrance to a visitor at the threshold upon the finding of a non-elevated temperature, and in the alternative, upon the finding of an elevated temperature, lock a door, secure a gate, and record the identity of the elevated temperature person and make a report to building security or human resources.

[0050] In one embodiment, the software and connectivity of the kiosk will, with permissions and positive identification, access medical records of a user to create a more accurate baseline for that individual and the software will be configured to adjust the threshold temperature for admittance or denial of admittance based on the surrounding temperature, the individual's baseline temperature, the individual's most recent temperatures, the time of day, and other known factors affecting body temperature. In one embodiment, the kiosk may also add to the medical records of the individual based on the reading at that moment.

[0051] In one embodiment, when an abnormally elevated or abnormally depressed temperature is recorded, instructions may be given for a second test in five minutes or some other pre-determined or requested time interval to allow for the individual to adjust to the surrounding environment or otherwise normalize. In some embodiments, suggestions will be given to the user to ensure that the user is performing the readings correctly by exposing the wrist and properly placing it according to the converging laser system.

[0052] In one embodiment, the kiosk may flag individuals for additional testing and obtain the results of such testing when completed.

[0053] In one embodiment, the kiosk may be pedestal mounted, or counter top mounted, or turnstile mounted, or permanently mounted akin to an ATM at a bank.

[0054] In one embodiment, a voice intercom system can be integrated to communicate live with building security, human resources, a doctor's office, a building resident, or any combination of desired contacts to facilitate entry into the area and monitoring of activity.

[0055] In one embodiment, the kiosk may be integrated with voice prompting for usage.

[0056] In one embodiment, the screen could be utilized for advertising revenue.

[0057] In one embodiment, the slot area, in addition to providing a converging laser system for accurate placement of the wrist in position for reading by the wrist temperature sensor, the slot area also protects against drafts, wind, and other environmental factors that could affect temperature readings. In this manner, instead of the claimed 0.54° F. accuracy of competitors, the accuracy here can be achieved at 0.18° F. This, when combined with a more accurate baseline specific to an individual, creates the optimal environment to detect temperature abnormalities.

[0058] In one embodiment, the slot area is replaced with a substantially circular hole to put a wrist through, which would create even more environmental protection, but make seeing the laser lines more difficult. In this embodiment, the initial hole could be relatively large, but then when the wrist has stopped moving within the area, the kiosk can then activate and the converging laser system can be tied to a moveable wrist sensor mechanism and instead of the wrist moving into position relative to the wrist sensor, the wrist sensor could move into position relative to the wrist, creating even more accurate and protected readings.

[0059] In one embodiment, either in conjunction with or as a standalone replacement, a tear duct temperature measurement functionality will exist. Research shows that one of the most reliable and accurate methods to detect elevated body temperature is through use of the eye canthus (a small area over the tear duct). Skin facial temperature and its correlation to core body temperature as measured through this tear duct area has shown to be most reliable and accurate. However, the thermal imaging cameras used for such temperature detection require certain parameters be met. The camera must project a sufficient number of pixels over the eye canthus to have an adequate spatial resolution.

[0060] In one embodiment, the facial recognition software and camera system will isolate the eye canthus to project sufficient pixels over the eye canthus to create an adequate spatial resolution for proper readings while the user uses the wrist temperature functionality and based on all readings, a proprietary algorithm can provide even greater accuracy of current core body temperature than any reading alone.

[0061] In one embodiment, there could be a mobile device application capable of integration with the unit such that any functionality of the unit desirable to be controlled by an individual user may be controlled and could provide for permissions of the gathering, use and recording of medical information, providing codes for access for a pre-determined period of time without the need for further testing, and updating security protocols. The associated app could have a feature for login to provide a layer of security, or facial recognition of both the unit and the app on a mobile device could trigger a login event for ease of access.

EXAMPLES

[0062] The present invention is further illustrated, but not limited by, the following examples.

[0063] A pandemic has occurred and buildings are on lockdown. In order to allow persons back into buildings, it is a requirement that individuals be tested for present illness. The least invasive, most efficient, and reliable manner to know if an individual is presently infected with a pathogen, is to read for an elevated body temperature. By using the kiosk as described herein, multiple individuals can be quickly, accurately, and efficiently, with no potential of spread of pathogen through touching, test and admit persons into a building on lockdown, and keep out individuals who test with elevated temperature, and report them for further testing consistent with protocol at a given time, and all while complying with privacy laws.

[0064] In one embodiment, the kiosk, or more than one kiosk, can be utilized, linked to common records. Since the kiosks can scan temperatures in approximately 0.2 seconds, and read faces and/or QR codes or other identifying indicia and open records also, within seconds, the only limiting factor for speed is really a user getting his or her wrist into position to be scanned. Once scanned, if approved, the gate threshold can be opened and the individual admitted, all within 5 to 30 seconds. Thus, each kiosk can admit up to seven hundred persons per hour, all automated, and more accurately than anything known today based on the described improvements.

[0065] Publications cited throughout this document are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Although the various aspects of the invention have been illustrated above by reference to examples and preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention is defined not by the foregoing description but by the following claims properly construed under principles of patent law.

[0066] Each and every feature described herein, and each and every combination of two or more of such features, is included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in such a combination are not mutually exclusive.