Patent ID: 7138905
Filing Date: 2006-11-21
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method for use in detecting a physiological state of a person, the method comprising: providing an enclosure, wherein the enclosure comprises a first enclosed volume and a second enclosed volume physically separated from the first enclosed volume, wherein the enclosure further comprises an entrance door sized to allow a person to enter the first enclosed volume; controlling one or more characteristics of the environment within the first enclosed volume; permitting only a single person to enter the first enclosed volume through the entrance door; asking the person within the first enclosed volume one or more questions so as to elicit a response from the person; providing thermal infrared image data of at least a region of the face of the person during at least a portion of the response from the person using at least one thermal infrared imaging device, wherein the at least one thermal infrared imaging device is positioned within the second enclosed volume; and using the thermal infrared image data to determine a physiological state of a person.