AU2021107342B4

AU2021107342B4 - A Temperature Check Cell and a Checking Method Thereof

Info

Publication number: AU2021107342B4
Application number: AU2021107342A
Authority: AU
Inventors: David Urquhart
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-11-20
Filing date: 2021-08-25
Publication date: 2022-09-01
Anticipated expiration: 2029-08-25
Also published as: AU2021107342A4

Abstract

A temperature check cell, comprising a main control unit and a check zone which includes a security entry door, a security exit door, a temperature check sensor, an alarm, and light curtains. The main control unit receives detected temperature signals from the temperature check sensor and obstruction signals from the light curtains. If an obstruction is detected by the light curtains, the main control unit will keep the security entry door open. If a temperature is detected by the temperature check sensor, the main control unit will compare the detected temperature with a pre-determined normal temperature range and if the detected temperature is higher than the pre-determined normal temperature, the main control unit will activate the alarm and keep closed the security entry door and the security exit door.

Description

A Temperature Check Cell and a Checking Method Thereof

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a temperature check cell and a checking

method thereof.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] During the outbreak of a pandemic, and even with common colds and flus, there

is a public health risk to a variety of premises that any person potentially carrying one or even several infectious diseases may gain access to the premises without any protection.

This may result in a disease virus spread significantly in such premises in a very short time. Running a temperature is a common symptom of being infected, and in some occasions

people are not aware that they have a fever.

[0003] Traditional temperature checks require that a thermometer is in close contact

with the body of the person, or use a temperature gun to check the temperature of the forehead or ears.

[0004] Thermal imaging cameras have been used for quite a long time, which can check

a person's temperature. However, these cameras are usually installed in a room which allows multiple people waiting in front of the devices or walking through the detection

areas, and therefore also cause risk of infection.

[0005] The object of this invention is to provide a safe temperature check cell and a checking method thereof to address the above shortcomings, or at least to provide a useful alternative. It is a further object to allow persons entry into a designated area only if their

temperature is within a certain range.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In a first aspect the invention comprises a temperature check cell, comprising:

a main control unit and a check zone which includes a security entry door, a security exit

door, a temperature check sensor, an alarm, and light curtains; the main control unit receives detected temperature signals from the temperature check sensor and obstruction signals from the light curtains; if an obstruction is detected by the light curtains, the main control unit will keep the security entry door open; if a temperature is detected by the temperature check sensor, the main control unit will compare the detected temperature with a pre-determined normal temperature range; and if the detected temperature is higher than the pre-determined normal temperature, the main control unit will activate the alarm and keep closed the security entry door and the security exit door.

[0007] In preference the check cell ef-further comprises an entry light; when the obstruction is detected by the light curtains, the main control unit turns the entry light from

a first colour to a second colour.

[0008] In a further aspect of the invention there is proposed a temperature checking method used with the cell of as described above comprising the steps of: if the temperature check sensor does not detect a human body temperature and the light

curtains are detecting an obstruction, then the main control unit will keep the security entry

dooropen; when a human body temperature is detected by the temperature check sensor and the light

curtains are not detecting an obstruction, the main control unit will lock the security entry door;

if the main control unit compares the detected temperature with a normal temperature and the detected temperature is higher than the normal temperature, the main control unit will

activate the alarm and keep closed the security entry door and the security exit door.

[0009] In preference method further comprises the steps of: if the testing result of the person is normal and no excessive body temperature is being

detected by the temperature check sensor for an immediate second consecutive period of

time, then the main control unit will open the security exit door.

[0010] The present invention provides a solution for a health and safety control using a

safe temperature check cell and the checking method thereof. The key functionalities include identity and temperature check, results monitoring, health relevant data storage and emergency response. It features portable, self-managed, accurate and reliable, multiple applications in one unit and is user friendly.

[0011] It should be noted that any one of the aspects mentioned above may include

any of the features of any of the other aspects mentioned above and may include any of the features of any of the embodiments described below as appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for

those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The

Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows.

[0013] Figure 1 is a three-dimension isometric view of the temperature check cell

embodying the invention;

[0014] Figure 2 is a front view of the temperature check cell embodying the invention;

[0015] Figure 3 is a top view of the temperature check cell embodying the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying

drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Dimensions of

certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration.

[0017] The temperature cell, referred to hereinafter as the safe temperature cell,

provided by the present invention is a portable safety device designed for fast and simple deployment of a self-managed pre-entry scanning system in a wide range of situations

where a personal health and/or an identity check is required.

[0018] Referring to Figs 1- 3, the present invention provides a safe temperature check cell 10, including a main control unit 40 and a check zone 20, including a security entry door

32, an exit door 34 typically made for-from glass, a security exit door 36, walls 38, a roof, a ground, a temperature check sensor 24, an alarm 28, light curtains 26, an entry light 22 and

a light 30. Elements not shown in the Figures will not affect the protection scope of the present invention.

[0019] As shown in Fig 3, a person who needs to get access to a premises waits before

entering check zone 20 at the check line 8 on the right of the Figure. When the person checks the entry light 22 and it is green, the person will walk into the check zone 20 through

the security entry door 32 where light curtains 26 are assembled to accept a temperature check by the temperature sensor 24.

[0020] While the person is walking through the light curtains 26, the curtains 26 will be obstructed. It indicates that there is somebody entering into the cell 10. Hence, the entry

light 22 is turned from green to red. At this time, the security entry door 32 will be kept open until the temperature sensor 24 can detect a body temperature. When the

temperature sensor 24 detects a body temperature and no obstruction is detected, then the

main control unit 40 will notify the security entry door 32 to close.

[0021] Meanwhile, if there is another person waiting at the check line 8 for a security

check, they will see the security entry door 32 is closed and the entry light 22 is red, which signals the other person that the safe temperature check cell 10 is in use and cannot be

entered at that moment. Further, a sound broadcast can be supplied for the purpose of audible prompts. As a result, both visual and audible prompts would provide clear directions

to persons whoever are inside and outside the cell at all times.

[0022] In an embodiment, the person in the safe temperature check cell 10 will have an

identity check device as well, for instance, a thermal imaging camera. If the check result is

negative, which means this person's health has no risk factor, such as a thermal symptom;

they will be permitted to exit through glass door 34 and the security exit door 36 and the alarm 28 will not be activated. If the result is positive, which means a temperature or a risk

factor such as a dangerous personal identity is detected, the person will be enclosed in the safe temperature check cell 10, the alarm 28 will sound and some other emergency procedures will be triggered according to the policies on health and safety management for the premise.

[0023] The present invention provides a solution for entry control through sensing,

directing and controlling one person at a time.

[0024] Further, a help button is provided to the person in the temperature check cell

, which connects directly to a specified assistant for emergency help or breakdowns. This

would normally be a supervisor on site but could also revert to a central helpdesk. Such modular design allows for fast maintenance, repairs and plug and play changeovers.

[0025] Further, the safe temperature check cell 10 of the present invention provides opportunity to maintain pre-entry requirements and a touchpoint for communicating

company policies on health and safety management and emergency response procedures.

[0026] If the safe temperature check cell 10 is equipped with a fulltime video

surveillance, it will further ensure the security of the premises and keep the risk factors detectable and traceable.

[0027] Additionally, light 30 provides a light source for the safe temperature check cell

so that it can be operated normally indoors or at night.

[0028] The temperature check method provided by the present invention is used with

the safe temperature check cell 10 described above, which comprises a main control unit 40 and a check zone 20. In some method embodiments of the present invention, the main

control unit 40 continuously receives detected temperature signals from the temperature check sensor 24 and any obstruction signals from the light curtains 26. When no body

temperature is detected by the temperature check sensor 24 in the check zone 20 and the light curtains 26 are not being obstructed, that indicates that the safe temperature check

cell 10 is not in use and is ready to check the temperature and/or identity of a person. At

this time, the security entry door 32 is open and the entry light 22 is green while the security

exit door 36 is kept closed. The green colour, or any other chosen colour, of the entry light 22 signals the person who is waiting for entering into the check zone at the check line 8 going forward.

[0029] The checking method comprises the following steps:

[0030] Step 1: When the person walks through the light curtains 26 and stops under the temperature check sensor 24, the light curtains 26 will first identify an obstruction and a

human body temperature will immediately be detected afterwards. Specifically, the light curtains 26 are detecting an obstruction while the temperature check sensor 24 does not

detect a human body temperature that indicates that a person is walking into the check

zone 20. The main control unit 40 keeps the security entry door 32 open and the security exit door 36 closed. Meantime, it turns the entry light 22 from green to red, which signals

that the safe temperature check cell 10 is in use.

[0031] Step 2: A human body temperature is detected by the temperature check sensor

24 in a continuous way, for instance, for a first consecutive period of time and the light curtains 26 are no longer detecting an obstruction, the main control unit 40 will act to

release the security entry door 32 to close, keep closed the security exit door 36 and the entry light 22 red.

[0032] Step 3: The main control unit 40 compares the detected temperature with the

normal temperature range and determines whether the test results falls into the normal temperature range of 36.6 - 37.2 degrees Celsius. If the detected temperature is within the

range, then the test result will be negative, which means the person has passed the test. If the detected temperature is beyond the range, then the test result will be positive, which

means the person has failed the test. Consequently, the main control unit 40 will activate alarm 28, keep the security entry door 32 and the security exit door 36 closed, and the entry

light 22 red. Therefore, the person who is in the check zone 20 who has tested positive will be enclosed in the safe temperature check cell 10 and appropriate emergency procedures

will be triggered according to the health and safety management policies of the premises.

[0033] It should be noted that the range of normal temperature can also be a normal

temperature degree point, for example 38 degrees Celsius. It only provides a standard body temperature range or a temperature point for comparison in the test that will not limit the

scope of the present invention.

[0034] Step 4: If the test result of the person in step 3 is negative which indicates they have passed the test, then they are able to move out of the safe temperature check cell 10 through the security exit door 36. If a normal body temperature is no longer being detected by the temperature check sensor 24 for an immediate second consecutive period of time, for instance 3 seconds, then the main control unit 40 will notify the security exit door 36, and open such that the person can exit the safe temperature check cell 10 through the security exit door 36. After the person walks out through security exit door 36, security entry door 32 is opened.

[0035] The reader will now appreciate the present invention which provides a safe

temperature check cell and a checking method thereof.

LIST OF COMPONENTS

[0036] The drawings include the following integers.

8 a check line a safe temperature check cell

a check zone

22 an entry light 24 a temperature check sensor

26 light curtains 28 an alarm

a light 32 a security entry door

34 a glass exit door 36 a security exit door

38 walls

a main control unit

[0037] Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present

invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and

described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in this field.

[0038] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word "comprising" and its

derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

Claims

1. A temperature check cell to measure the temperature of a person, comprising: a main control unit and a check zone which includes a security entry door, a security exit door, a temperature check sensor, a light curtain, the light curtain acting as a presence detection device and located before the security entry door wherein in the first instance both the security doors are closed; wherein when the person approaches the closed security entry door and disrupts the light curtain, the security entry door opens and the person enters the temperature check cell; once the light curtain is no longer disrupted since the person has entered the temperature check cell, and if the temperature check sensor detects a change of temperature, the security entry door close; wherein the person cannot exit as both the security entry door and the security exit doors are closed; the temperature check sensor measuring the person's temperature; wherein if the person's temperature is above a pre-set threshold the security entry and the security exit door remain closed, detaining the person in the temperature check cell and an alarm will be activated; and if the person's temperature is not above a pre-set threshold the security exit door will open, allowing the person to exit.

2. The temperature check cell as in claim 1further including an identification device to identify a dangerous personal identity and if they are deemed to be a dangerous personal identity it will keep both of the doors closed.

3. The temperature check cell of claim 1, further comprising an entry light; when the person is detected by the light curtain, the main control unit turns the entry light from a first colour to a second colour.

4. A temperature checking method used with the cell of claim 1, comprising the steps of: detecting a person and once detected open the security entry door; wherein when a temperature is detected by the temperature check sensor and the light curtain is no longer detecting a person, the main control unit closes the security entry door; wherein when the detected temperature of the person is higher than a predetermined temperature, the main control unit will keep closed the security entry door and the security exit door.

5. The temperature checking method of claim 4, further comprising the steps of:

if the testing result of the person is normal and no excessive body temperature is

being detected by the temperature check sensor for an immediate second

consecutive period of time, then the main control unit will open the security exit

door.