Patent ID: 9415167
Filing Date: 2016-08-16
CPC Classification: A61M,G01N

Claim Text:
1. An electronic sensor for detecting skin, the sensor comprising a processor, an EM source which projects a fine point of IR light, a baffle, a first EM detector and a second EM detector, the sensor arranged such that the EM source is located on a first side of the baffle and the first and second EM detectors are arranged on a second, opposite, side of the baffle at first and second distances from the EM source respectively, the first distance being less than the second distance, the processor configured to cause the source to emit EM radiation and to receive first and second signals from the first and second EM detectors respectively, the signals being indicative of the intensity of EM radiation detected by the sensor, the processor being further configured to process the first and second signals wherein the first signal is input to a logic gate and is compared against a first threshold, and if greater, a positive signal is passed to the logic gate; said first signal is divided by said second signal, and compared to a second threshold, and if greater a positive signal is passed to the logic gate, a rate of change of each of said first and second signals is obtained and compared to a third and a fourth threshold, wherein a positive signal is passed to the logic gate if the rate of change of said first and second signals is below said third and fourth thresholds, and wherein a summation of all four positive signals generates a positive skin detection signal.