New report issued on 9/22 testing the BEMs brand of temperature scanning tablets. Guangzhou Bems (brand Benshi) is the manufacturer behind temperature terminals relabeled by over a dozen Western companies. But how well do they really work?
Do these look familiar to you? Click for full size
The testing company bought and tested Bems temperature measurement tablet, examining the following:
How often did it miss elevated temperatures?
How accurate are measurements vs IR thermometer?
Can it measure taller and shorter people?
How does subject distance to the terminal impact temperature measurements?
Do glasses/hats affect temperature measurement?
How accurate is mask detection?
How much can users configure settings on the device?
Aggressive Temperature Normalization — presents subjects in the range of 97-98°F despite other devices measuring them at significantly higher or lower temperatures.
Missed Elevated Temperatures – the Bems device frequently missed elevated temperatures by several degrees.
Hats and Glasses
No recommended height or distance guidelines
Moving people read differently
Facemask and cup of coffee failed
Context for picture below — tester is holding up a paper print out of a face with a hot water pouch behind it and this device thinks its a human with normal body temperature
Size Comparison
The Bems tablet is similar is size to other temperature terminals, such as the Hikvision MinMoe and the ZKTeco 8” model.
No US Support
Guangzhou Bems offers limited global support. While Bems can provide users with an English version of its user manual, its only tech support is China-based and communicates in Chinese. Non-Chinese speaking users outside of China should expect delayed responses due to China’s time difference and a Chinese speaker to help translate technical questions.
Android and App Version Used
The Bems tablet is running Android version 7.1.2 (current Android version 11.0.0), with software using version 2.5.0.10.
Temperature Kiosk Tablet Tested and Scored was last modified: September 24th, 2020 by News Editor
For the longest time American industry has had a very contradictory relationship with Asia.
Back in the late 70s, we had our own experience with semiconductors (RAM) and Japan and American manufacturers. Needing to collect more seismic data do we purchase 100 devices from a US company or do we purchase 1000 devices from Japan? The outcome was not good for the US semiconductor industry.
In the kiosk industry past it was common at shows to have the Chinese with high-resolution cameras take photos of kiosk units designed by US manufacturers. These photos were later transformed into CAD files and then subsequently offered on Chinese sites, sometimes at 25% the cost. They would break down more often but then you could buy 2 spares at the same cost.
The software application side of things though was and is non-China-provisioned. That has changed.
Currently, there is a “hot market” for temperature screening kiosks. Devices from Belgium and Germany are predominantly used as the temperature sensors and they are integrated into tablets typically running Android on a Rockchip.
The claim is they include AI module and facial recognition along with the temperature measurement. All the sweet spots.
Problem is now that this software is Chinese in origin. Its not just hardware anymore. That brings into play regulations such as HIPAA as well as Federal laws regarding technology (blacklists). Deployments by marquee companies such as Amazon are common, and have included blacklisted technology.
In the temperature kiosk market, we see literally thousands of Chinese units being deployed at schools, state agencies, and federal agencies which employ Chinese software. Software that uses algorithms of blacklisted companies with data that passes thru their servers.
TikTok is an entertainment platform and it has been deemed sufficient national interest to require changes.
Given these “surveillance” platforms for scanning the general population, is it reasonable to suggest they might require changes?
Maybe injecting Chinese software into Smart City technology gets peoples attention. Not sure.
Tablets in general — It can be argued that the closest thing to a U.S. made tablet is an iPad. There are zero Android/Rockchip hardware options in the U.S. and the origin of hardware is now giving Asia and edge in software. It used to be a Dell or HP pc.
Additional Context from legal authority for consideration
Brian Weinthal
Partner at Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella
For reference HIPAA, the federal statute only covers those who are deemed to be health care providers under its terms.
Sharing or improperly releasing medical information, or taking biometrics without consent are both potential violations of the law, and could be actionable.
Chinese Software – The New Danger? was last modified: September 23rd, 2020 by News Editor
We wanted to update our information on thermal temperature screening. The best source for that is IPVM which tests all types of devices and reports on the “bad actors”. We do not like having to comment negatively on events but when it is in the interest of the public and American taxpayers we have to speak up.
No Blackbody Mistake, Half Million Dollar, Hikvision Fever Camera System in Georgia
By: Charles Rollet, Published on Sep 16, 2020 | Email This
A Georgia school district touted buying Hikvision fever screening “about $2,000 cheaper per camera” with no blackbody for a total cost of a half a million dollars, despite the fact that these calibration devices are crucial for accuracy.
Moreover, the School district made a mistake confusing the accuracy of the Hikvision system with a blackbody to the worse performance of the ones they bought without a blackbody.
This news follows an Alabama school district spending over $1 million on a similar no blackbody Hikvision fever camera system and even declared it would not follow FDA guidance. Such deals harm public health efforts and waste taxpayer money while helping the bottom line of Hikvision and its dealers.
The district told IPVM that no blackbodies were included explaining that “the vendor [Ultimate Security] did not recommend that we purchase the blackbody.”
“About $2,000 Cheaper A Camera”
During the board meeting, Assistant Superintendent Mike Sanders touted Hikvision’s lower cost, saying he knew of another school system paying $2,000 more per camera:
I’ll just say I do know of another school system – they are currently installing these – I won’t mention the school system name because I do know we’re buying them, installed, about $2,000 cheaper a camera than what they are, they’re getting the same exact camera, we feel like it’s a good price point for us, we’ve seen it from $2,000 a device up to $100,000 per device, the prices are coming down now that more and more people are getting into the market [emphasis added]
Mistaken Accuracy, Confusing With and Without Blackbody
While the school district thought they were saving money, they actually confused the specified accuracy of the Hikvision system with a blackbody vs what they actually bought, without it. During the meeting Assistant Principal Sanders touts the accuracy of what they are buying as ±0.5°F, saying:
scrolls on down to the best and this, the long range camera, does fall into that best it’s an accuracy of point five degrees Fahrenheit and which is is is pretty good.
To the contrary, the Hikvision camera, sans blackbody, they bought only has a specified accuracy of ±0.9°F, 80% worse than with a blackbody. In this configuration, a reading of 99.5°F might be as low as 98.6°F or as high as 100.4°F.
The video below shows the school district claim and the mistake made:
Blackbody Crucial to Accuracy, IPVM Testing Shows
A blackbody (pictured right) is a calibration device that emits a single stable temperature, giving thermal cameras a crucial comparison tool. Below is an FDA diagram of “proper thermal imaging room setup”, note the blackbody adjacent to the person being screened:
IPVM testing of Hikvision’s fever cams shows that deploying them without a blackbody results in reduced accuracy/missed elevated temps/false alerts, even worse than the inferior accuracy Hikvision specifies.
IPVM’s test shows that without a blackbody, accuracy is typically reduced to within ±1.0°F to ±1.5°F, significant enough to result in false alarms and missed elevated temps:
The lack of a blackbody also increases long term accuracy risk as ambient temperatures change.
No Operators Touted, Despite FDA Guidance
During the August 10 meeting, Assistant Superintendent Sanders stated “another benefit” of Hikvision’s system is that it could be run remotely (no operator on the ground), with the system automatically taking pictures of high temp students and sending these directly to the principal, who would then “locate that student” to be sent to the nurse:
another benefit of this one is that we don’t have to have an administrator standing right there. The others, you had have to have someone standing there making sure they came in and stopped. With this one, it can be set to where an alert comes through to the principal, to the assistant principal, with a photo of that individual telling what the temperature read, and then that would allow them if someone’s not at the door, that would allow them the opportunity to go and locate that student [emphasis added]
However, the FDA’s fever screening guidelines instruct that each thermal imaging system be run by a “properly” trained person who prepares “the person being evaluated” in order increase accuracy:
Furthermore, running a fever camera system remotely means potentially contagious children cannot be immediately screened out and sent to the nurse, leaving them free to roam around and contaminate other students.
Quick Screenings Touted, Despite Inaccuracy Risk
Superintendent Dr Jody Barrow touted Hikvision screening “large numbers of students in a quick fashion”. Assistant Superintendent Mike Sanders also said the Hikvision system allows people to be screened without stopping:
most everything we had demoed would require a student to come up and physically stop, take the scan, and then move on, and obviously at the entry point when you need that, that’s not real feasible
However, in practice, if individual students are not made to stop and position themselves correctly in front of the camera and remove face/head coverings, the system will be much more inaccurate. This increases the risk of simultaneous screening, which the FDA does not permit, instructing users to “measure only one person’s surface skin temperature at a time”.
Debunked Hot Water Test Touted
As proof that the Hikvision system ‘works’, Superintendent Barrow noted Hikvision demos of people holding hot water cups getting “caught”:
some of their video clips, where they were actually running a lot of people through, they would take hot cups of water or coffee so they would make sure they caught that person
One aspect the district got right is that Hikvision fever cameras only screen foreheads, so signage will be deployed to tell students to remove their hats, with Superintendent Barrow noting that “students aren’t going to be able to wear their hats as they come in”. On the other hand, since there will be no operator, students could easily ignore this. Moreover, hair bangs also interfere with Hikvision’s forehead only system.
Controversy Over Privacy, Human Rights
The Hikvision system sparked controversy locally; at an August 24 district meeting, one man in attendance criticized it over “privacy issues”, per local paper The Citizen:
In response to the privacy concerns, the school district says facial recognition is not part of the deployment, stating “the cameras are being used to solely check body temperatures, and not for any other identifying purpose.” The district did not directly address Hikvision’s human rights record after we asked.
I personally contacted several locations in my research, in addition to four supply distribution centers, to make sure that Hikvision still had the reputation that I am familiar with, and my research confirmed it
Conclusion
Hikvision has aggressively promoted fever camera sales worldwide but has done little to ensure these are properly deployed as required by the FDA and international standards. The installation of expensive but poorly-implemented systems of questionable use is an inevitable result of this campaign.
IPVM Devices Tests
PVM has tested, by far, the most “fever” / temperature screening devices in the world. The following is a listing of our tests to date:
However, what fever camera salesmen are doing is much worse. While post 9/11 sales were very bad and many people bought useless or broken equipment, many fever cameras are rigged giving a false sense of security that increases the risk that more die.
Some of the more established vendors of security products to schools, including Axis Communications, have avoided the fever detection business altogether over concerns that thermal cameras aren’t accurate enough to detect fevers quickly in large groups because of how sunshine, exertion and masks can alter readings.
“If you have 500 students entering between 8:00 a.m. and 8:15 a.m., we don’t believe we are going to make a product work accurately enough,” said Fredrik Nilsson, vice president of the Americas at Axis Communications, a major supplier of surveillance cameras to schools, retailers and other businesses. “We are very long term and not opportunistic.”
“If you have 500 students entering between 8:00 a.m. and 8:15 a.m., we don’t believe we are going to make a product work accurately enough.”
He compared the proliferation of companies selling fever detection tools to those that sold facial recognition technology in the aftermath of the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
“A lot of airports went out and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to install facial recognition at check-in and realized it wasn’t accurate enough and they had tens of thousands of false positives a day,” he said, warning that schools could find themselves in a similar predicament. [emphasis added]
Worse
Axis certainly has a point here. But our testing shows it is even worse.
While undoubtedly hundreds of millions were rashly spent after 9/11 on video surveillance systems that were ineffective, it was much easier to see ineffective video analytics or poor quality cameras than it is to see ineffective fever detection.
When a perimeter protection systems alarms on a headlight, the user can immediately see the system is ‘broken’. When a facial recognition system alarms on someone who looks nothing like the watchlist, the user can immediately see the system is ‘broken’.
When a fever detection system misses someone with a fever, people cannot simply look at a person and tell (as they can with video analytics and facial recognition mistakes). Worse, since so few people have a fever and almost everyone nearly has the same temperature, it is easy to trick people into thinking it is working.
Westminster, CO September 2020 — The Kiosk Association (KMA) is proud to announce the first multi-vendor kiosk solution catalog for COVID-related kiosk “worker” solutions. Over twenty different solutions related to COVID, Temperature Scanning, CDC Health Screening, Automatic Hand Sanitizers, software, ADA consulting and services are available for purchase. CAKCEK, our authorized distributor, has been actively bidding this catalog of solutions in various RFPs in the SLED and Federal markets. Put qualified technology to work for you.
Compliance Issues
Temperature kiosks come with a Certificate of Compliance regarding sensor accuracy. They are designed and manufactured by members which meet the KMA ADA conformance requirements in ADA, Accessibility, FDA, and PCI to name some of the relevant regulatory issues. Kiosks solutions manufactured primarily in the US are available. Members from the UK and Germany with offices in the U.S. also are available.
CAKCEK has been established as the authorized distributor for KMA conformance solutions. The owner of CAKCEK, Craig Keefner says, “We’ve been monitoring the temperature and thermal imaging market closely. The proliferation of Chinese-origin devices with undisclosed components both software and hardware into this market has been disconcerting at best. Almost all of those units come with facial recognition, artificial intelligence, and a general inattention to regulatory and legal issues. This raises serious liability issues, especially for healthcare-oriented deployments, down the road as well as the general health concerns of false positives. By offering a catalog of KMA approved choices our first priority is to inform and educate buyers in the marketplace.”
Kiosk “Workers” Available
Temperature Scanning Kiosks
Low pixel count entry-level with medical-grade sensors
Medium pixel count mid-level systems
High-end thermal imaging systems which are FDA-certified
Systems include quantity pricing and Lease options
Repurposing options provided
Digital signage options provided
Smart City kiosk options
Countertop, Stand-up, Sit-down and Wall-Mount configurations
Microsoft Surface Tablet Options
iPad options
CDC Screening Stations
CDC Recommended Health Screening kiosk options
Sanitizer Kiosks
Heavy duty cycle sanitizer dispense systems
Standup systems
Countertop systems
Standup system including digital signage
Software Only Solutions
NoTouch Touchless Software (Android and Windows)
Digital signage options (some portable and outdoors)
Secure lockdown software KioWare, Sitekiosk and Esper are available for purchase
JAWS accessibility software for Windows is available
Warranty and Service
Standard one year warranty on all systems
Sanitizer kiosks come with 2-year warranty
All original manuals are in English. Chinese not available.
Training and Train the Trainer Available
White-Glove Project Coverage
Consulting
ADA and Accessibility consulting company packages
PCI EMV consulting company packages
Country of Origin
USA
Canada (sanitizer kiosks)
Germany and UK units are also available though we expect those will soon have manufacturing in the US
FAQ Questions
Our brochure includes a set of 23 questions that you should be asking before any purchase. Examples include:
Many Chinese kiosks facial recognition use blacklisted Chinese tech firms. This is a distinct liability for deployers in health care industry.
Chinese-made relabeled units are marked up anywhere from 100% to 600% and can be reviewed at Alibaba.
Have you read the FDA enforcement letter and understand it? We have a FAQ. It appears that the window of forgiveness is starting to contract introducing liabilities
We recommend opinion post on Chinese software for more background.
Security Issues
Most of the Chinese-origin units employ facial recognition in concert with inexpensive thermopile temperature sensor. The technology employs algorithms and server connections from blacklisted Chinese tech firms such as Dahua and HKVision. This brings privacy concerns to the forefront.
How To Purchase
Your first option is for CAKCEK to connect you with the partner product you wish to purchase. You arrange the purchase directly with them.
You purchase from CAKCEK. We process the order and manage it for you.
If desired you can purchase direct from the partner but CAKCEK will remain involved as a point of coordination.
Contact Us
You can email Craig@catareno.com for more info or complete the form here indicating your interest. We offer primarily to the SLED and Federal market for now.
KIOSK announces new touchless kiosk software as new tool for customers
Since 1993, KIOSK has led the industry in the design and manufacture of self-service solutions. We provide highly specialized experts to surround every aspect of the project, executing personalized customer deliverables in parallel.
In-house services encompass every aspect of customized solution design:
Hardware Enclosure Design
Software Application Design
Flexible Volume Manufacturing
ISO Certified Standards
Safety Agency Certifications
Complete Deployment Services
Advanced Field and Managed Services
Project teams integrate all deliverables within a single professional campus, stream-lining communications tied to consistent first pass success.
With over 200,000 units successfully deployed, KIOSK has deep experience in a full complement of vertical markets, providing niche expertise in both platform creation and volume deployment support. OEM and end customer projects range from traditional applications in retail; bill payment, and HR to highly custom multi-function banking, vending, smart locker and border security solutions. With 25+ years entirely dedicated to the art of self-service, KIOSK has the passion, expertise, and resources to greatly simplify your path to market.
New touch-free kiosk option is meeting consumers’ surging demand was last modified: September 20th, 2020 by News Editor
Frederick, MD (Sept. 10, 2020 )- Kiosk Group, Inc. is thrilled to announce the release of CheckPoint, their new COVID-19 non-thermal health screening kiosk that allows facility managers to easily screen employees and visitors with a simple set of health questions. This kiosk solution reduces the risk of COVID-19 transmission in facilities while protecting individuals’ privacy.
Anyone entering a building incorporating CheckPoint is instructed to stop for screening by the large graphic panel mounted on the rear of the kiosk. CheckPoint does not include thermal temperature detection, instead asking the user a series of CDC-approved screening questions to determine their risk level. Users can respond either via voice control or by using the touchscreen interface.
Click image for full size image
Once screening is complete the kiosk prints a date-stamped badge for easy identification within the facility. No identifying data about the person being screened is stored.
“The CDC states that employers and businesses may consider daily in-person screening to identify employees or visitors with signs or symptoms consistent with COVID-19.” said Alan Mischler, CEO. “Using CheckPoint in your facility can help accomplish this and minimize the risk of transmission.”
Although a number of screening kiosks that incorporate thermal cameras have appeared on the market in recent months, screening based on facial temperature can be unreliable. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases confirmed this in August 2020 during a Facebook Live session with Walter Reed Medical Center:
“We have found at the [National Institutes of Health] that it is much, much better to just question people when they come in and save the time because the temperatures are notoriously inaccurate many times,” Dr. Fauci said.
The CDC estimates that 40% of individuals infected with COVID-19 do not have any symptoms. Still, the chance of transmission of COVID-19 from asymptomatic people is 75%.
CheckPoint comes fully assembled with software pre-installed and can be leased at a cost of less than $12/day.
As an aid to help businesses reopen safely, Kiosk Group is offering free sanitizer wipe and gel pump kits with kiosk purchases throughout September. The kits feature a mounting system that does not require any permanent modifications of the kiosk itself, and kits for Classic Standalone and Roo Printer kiosks have optional bins to provide a convenient place to dispose of used wipes.
Kiosk Group, Inc is a privately-owned, Maryland-based company that sets the industry standard for interactive tablet kiosk hardware as well as secure browser apps by Kiosk Pro for iOS and iPhone.
Health Screening Kiosk Unattended by Frank Mayer and Associates, Inc.
Editor Note: New health screening kiosk aka temperature kiosk by Frank Mayer and Associates, Inc. does temperature screening the best way — in two ways.
One is by asking the recommended CDC questions that employees need to answer. They relate to fever or feeling feverish (chills, sweating), new cough, difficulty breathing, and sore throat.
The second way is also performing an infrared sensor reading of skin temperature. The sensor is infrared medical grade. We would recommend performing these types of checks at entry as well as when they exit the premises. At exit, the outside factors are eliminated and the electronic temperature sensor has a higher probability of identifying consistent and more accurate temperatures.
Worth noting the unit is capable of controlling door access (either a door lock or door unlock option) a dry contact relay is included with the system for interfacing with virtually any door/turnstile lock mechanism. No printing.
GRAFTON, WI – Frank Mayer and Associates, Inc. has partnered with Data Display Systems, a technology company that engineers electronic display systems, to develop a kiosk solution for employers looking to enact health screening and temperature checks at their worksites.
The kiosk screens employees and visitors through customizable health compliance questions as well as temperature testing using sophisticated sensor technology. Results are then communicated to a remote content management system that provides a secure record of compliance traceability using nondescript user identification.
The result is a health screening and temperature kiosk that not only promotes safer conditions in a large workplace, but provides accurate readings, communicates data in real-time, and drastically reduces the costs of employing a dedicated
temperature checker.
“We are excited to team with Frank Mayer and Associates to introduce a comprehensive system that protects employees and visitors while providing businesses with complete traceability,” says Bob Gatta, Chief Executive Officer at Data Display Systems, LLC. “This enables businesses to securely document compliance with CDC, state and local guidelines to sustain long-term business operations.”
“Businesses are looking for safe and effective ways to maintain workplace safety,” Mike Mayer, President at Frank Mayer and Associates, Inc. adds. “With the health screening and temperature kiosk, we’re providing companies with an easy way to protect employees while saving costs on other, more expensive options.”
Frank Mayer and Associates, Inc. is a leader in the development of in-store merchandising displays, interactive kiosks, and store fixtures for businesses nationwide. The company helps retailers and brands utilize the latest display solutions and technologies to create engaging customer experiences. Visit www.frankmayer.com for more information.
Data Display has cemented itself as a world leader in electronic display systems, earning multiple POPAI awards for creative engineering. Its emphasis on in-house engineering and prototyping, developing hundreds of custom circuits coupled with software development, and customer service distinguishes their products and collaborative creative process.
Reopening during the COVID-19 “new normal” brings a unique set of challenges for employers, starting with how to keep your employees and visitors safe.
The Center for Disease Control’s current guidelines recommend that employers should offer daily health screening checks before allowing entry into a facility.
Daily Proof of Screening
Kiosk Group’s CheckPoint Kiosk allows you to easily screen employees and visitors with a simple set of health screening questions. After screening, a date-stamped badge is printed for easy identification within your facility.
This touchless kiosk solution reduces the risk of COVID-19 transmission in your facility while protecting individuals’ privacy.
Simple, Touchless Interface
The kiosk interface is voice-activated for touchless interaction, reducing touch points that could potentially transmit the virus. The interface also supports touch for visitors who are unable to interact by voice or just prefer touch. An optional holder for sanitizer wipes or hand sanitizer is available separately to help keep visitors safe.
On-screen instructions show visitors exactly how to use the kiosk and what to expect.
COVID-19 Screening Solution
A date-stamped badge is printed after screening.
Voice Activated
The kiosk informs employees & visitors that they must be screened before entering.
Quick Screening
This screening consists of a short series of questions based on CDC guidelines for eligibility to work, including questions about fever, symptoms, and possible exposure.
Print Badge
People deemed to be low-risk receive a printed badge which must be worn at all times while in the facility. The badge includes the day of the week and date in clear, large text that can be easily checked while still maintaining adequate social distancing.
Next-Step Instructions
Anyone in a high-risk group is asked to leave the facility immediately and receives a printed set of instructions on what to do next.
How It Works
Privacy First
Designed around the idea of privacy first, our screening kiosk does not store any identifying data about those who have been screened. By providing physical proof that a visitor or employee has undergone screening, this solution avoids the privacy and security issues that affect many traditional check-in solutions.
Since 2006, Kiosk Group has been transforming self-service ideas into dynamic tablet kiosk solutions. Your business has special needs — let us show you how we can help.
CheckPoint Kiosk is a non-thermal camera, health screening kiosk that allows you to easily screen employees and visitors with a simple set of health questions. After screening, a date-stamped badge is printed for easy identification within your facility.
Does the kiosk include thermal temperature screening?
No. CheckPoint does not include thermal temperature screening and instead asks the user a series of questions to determine their risk level. Since thermal cameras have not been proven completely reliable and many infected people are asymptomatic, the CheckPoint kiosk depends on CDC-approved screening questions.
How can I tell if someone has passed screening?
After successful screening, a date-stamped badge is printed with the day of the week, date, and time in large text. Everyone in your facility must wear a badge with the current day clearly showing at all times.
How are new visitors coming in notified of the screening requirement?
Anyone coming into your building is instructed to stop for screening by the large graphic panel mounted on the rear of the kiosk. We recommend placing the kiosk close to the front entrance in a position where it cannot be missed.
Is any identifying data stored about the person being screened?
No. US employment law tightly regulates how health data of employees is stored and managed. While emergency exceptions have been carved out during the current pandemic, these exceptions are not clearly defined and can expose a business to significant liability.
How many kiosks do I need?
You will most likely need a kiosk for every entrance into your facility. If you have a high volume of employees or visitors entering at a single time, you may want to consider additional kiosks to expedite screening and encourage social distancing. You may choose to limit alternate entrances while running screening and instruct people coming into your facility to use one or more primary entrances. If you need a way to direct individuals to these entrances, we offer custom printed signage as an optional add-on.
Will voice-recognition work in noisy environments?
Voice-recognition requires that the iPad’s microphone can clearly distinguish the user’s voice from background noise. Noisy environments can interfere with recognition. In this case, the user can touch the on-screen answers. A 1 hand sanitizer pump bottle is mounted on the kiosk if users wish to sanitize their hands after interacting with the screen. If you are installing CheckPoint in a noisy environment where voice recognition is unlikely to be successful, please notify us when ordering so we can provide a version of the software and signage that removes the voice activation feature.
How long does screening take?
Initial screening generally takes less than one minute. As employees become more familiar with the questions, this time decreases to 30 seconds or less.
What questions are asked during screening?
After asking the user to agree to wear a mask and practice social distancing within the facility, CheckPoint asks each individual about fever, symptoms, and possible exposure. A complete set of questions and the decision tree can be reviewed here.
Individuals are deemed to be high-risk if they:
● have had a fever over 100.4° F (38.0° C) or used any medicine to reduce a fever in the last 24 hours
● have had symptoms associated with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, including fever or feeling feverish (chills, sweating), new cough, difficulty breathing, sore throat, muscle aches or body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or new loss of taste or smell and symptom onset was less than 10 days ago or symptoms are not improving
● have reason to believe that they been exposed to or acquired COVID-19 in the last 14 days, This is in line with current CDC guidelines and will be updated if that guidance changes.
Can I customize the questions?
No. Questions are based on the current Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations for health screening and discontinuance of isolation for individuals showing symptoms. However, messages shown when a person fails screening can be customized (see below for details).
Will the questions be updated when Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidance changes?
Yes. We are monitoring the CDC’s website and will update questions automatically when their recommendations change.
What happens when a visitor or employee fails screening?
A label is printed with instructions on what the person should do next. The text shown and printed can be customized separately for visitors and employees and updated from within the app’s settings.
How much does each kiosk cost?
The price per kiosk is $4,195 US plus tax and includes shipping anywhere in the continental United States.
Do you offer volume discounts?
Discounts are available for single purchase orders over 50 units. Please contact hardware-sales@kioskgroup.com for special volume pricing incentives.
How do I pay for the kiosk?
Contact a Kiosk Group Sales professional at hardware-sales@kioskgroup.com to start the process. Our experienced representatives will send you a form to get required information. Upon receipt of that information, we will send a complete quote outlining all of the solution details, pricing and tax. You can accept and pay online, call our office at 301-732-4629 x116 to provide your credit card over the phone, or pay via ACH (with bank information will be provided upon request).
What components are included?
The CheckPoint kiosk includes:
● Roo printer kiosk – steel enclosure with durable silver powder coat paint finish; rear keyed-lock access for full-front printer label replenishment.
● 10.2 “ iPad enclosure with microphone access grill – black textured ABS construction for easy cleaning, secure toolhead lock located beneath enclosure for easy removal if needed
● Star Micronics TSP743II Bluetooth printer – high speed for commercial use
● Roll of label stock (900 labels)
● Sanitizer pump bottle for hand sanitizer (hand sanitizer gel not included)
● Disposal bin for printed label backing
● Rear-mounted sign with easy-to-understand instructions
● Power strip for standard power outlet
● QuickStart instructions + hardware kit
● Packaging with pallet & shipping within the continental US
A 10.2-inch iPad with Retina display, 32 GB of storage, and WiFi is included as a separate one-year lease with options to renew leasing if continuing to use CheckPoint or buy out at the end of use for a $1 payment.
While this is structured as a lease, you are under no obligation to return the tablet to Kiosk Group.
The CheckPoint software is included as a separate annual subscription and requires the iPad to be leased from Kiosk Group for installation and use. Pay-In-Advance 2-year software incentive – pay for 2 years now, save $300 per unit, 2 nd year software renewal subscription fee only $695.
Additional coverage for the printer and tablet are available as optional add-ons.
Why must the iPad be leased from Kiosk Group?
The CheckPoint kiosk comes with software pre-installed and ready to go out of the box. To provision and manage the iPad tablet, we use Apple’s Device Enrollment Program (DEP) and mobile
device management software. In addition, the CheckPoint app is distributed as a Custom B2B app through Apple Business Manager (ABM). Apple’s terms for these programs clearly state that Kiosk Group must retain ownership of the iPad while it is enrolled in our DEP or has the CheckPoint app installed.
What happens at the end of the iPad lease or when I no longer want to use CheckPoint?
If you want to continue to use CheckPoint screening, you will need to renew the existing iPad lease and software subscription. The cost for the annual renewal is currently $995 annually paid in advance. Otherwise, at the end of the lease period or when you choose to no longer use the CheckPoint screening, you can return the iPad or buy out the lease for a $1 payment. After the buyout, the iPad will be released from Kiosk Group’s Device Enrollment Program account, wiped remotely to remove the Checkpoint software and mobile device management profile, and ownership
officially transferred.
What happens if the leased iPad is damaged or lost?
The customer assumes responsibility for the iPad for the full lease term. If the iPad is damaged, lost, or stolen during this period, you must notify Kiosk Group immediately and will be responsible for paying for a replacement if you want to continue to use CheckPoint. Additional AppleCare+ coverage is available as an optional add-on at the time of purchase and covers up to
two incidents of accidental damage with a deductible. See below for details.
I already have my own iPads – can I use these for CheckPoint instead of leasing?
For deployments of more than 100 kiosks, we can optionally set up a separate instance of the CheckPoint app that would be linked to your organization’s Apple Business Manager account. In this instance, you would be responsible for provisioning and managing the iPads on your own.
What am I responsible for providing?
Label stock, liquid hand sanitizer and a WiFi internet connection. While we provide an initial roll of label stock, subsequent refills are the responsibility of the end customer.
Additional cases of 12 rolls (900 labels per roll) can be purchased from Kiosk Group at a cost of $195 per case (approx. $.02/label). The kiosk ships with an empty pump bottle for hand sanitizer. Purchasing hand sanitizer to fill this bottle or replacing it with a new bottle is also the responsibility of the customer. If you do not want to offer hand sanitizer, the sanitizer mounting kit can be removed from the kiosk at any point.
Is an internet connection required?
Yes. CheckPoint is a hosted solution, which means an internet connection is required for use. If you do not have a reliable WiFi signal where the kiosk is to be placed, we can provide a kit to connect the iPad to wired Ethernet for an additional fee.
Can I customize the printed badges?
Pre-printed label stock can be used with CheckPoint if you want the badge to show your organization’s logo or imagery at the top of the badge. Please contact us to discuss how much of the label can be pre-printed and arrange for the alternate badge layout required.
Can I purchase additional badge labels?
Yes. Additional rolls of badge labels are available in cases of 12 rolls (with 900 labels per roll) for $195 per case.
Can I customize the graphic panel that comes with the kiosk?
Custom graphics for the rear panel are available for an additional $129 each.
Can the kiosk be set up outside?
No. CheckPoint kiosks are designed for indoor use and are not weather-proof.
How does shipping work?
The kiosk is shipped fully assembled on a pallet with protective packaging. The graphic panel packaged separately, ready to attach and set in place for plug-and-play operation. A QuickStart guide for connecting to power and WiFi, loading label stock into the printer and attaching the rear sign is also included. Packaging and freight shipping within the continental US are included for loading dock delivery. If a lift gate or indoor delivery is required, there will be an additional $100 fee.
What is required to set up the kiosk?
Software for your CheckPoint kiosk comes pre-installed and configured. For on-site setup, your team will need to:
● attach the graphic signage panel to the kiosk
● fill the provided sanitizer pump bottle or add your own bottle of sanitizer gel
● connect the iPad to power and WiFi
● connect the printer to power and confirm that the printer’s Bluetooth connection to the tablet is working
● launch the CheckPoint app
What tools are required for unpacking and assembly?
(pending answer)
How often does the printer need to be refilled?
Label stock for the printer comes with 900 labels per roll. How frequently this will need to be replaced will depend on traffic at your location. The CheckPoint kiosk opens through a keyed lock at the rear of the enclosure. The front hinges out to provide access to the printer. The top of the kiosk front should be supported with a hand while opening. Nothing has to be removed and changing out label stock should only take a couple of minutes.
Is technical support available?
We provide complete documentation for setting up your CheckPoint kiosk and email support is available weekdays from 9am to 5pm. For questions about the CheckPoint software, please contact software-support@kioskgroup.com. For questions about the kiosk enclosure and hardware components, please contact hardware-support@kioskgroup.com. For repairs or warranty coverage for the tablet or the thermal label printer, Kiosk Group will provide email contacts through our support portal once a ticket is opened. Please email hardware-support@kioskgroup.com for instructions.
What warranty is provided?
There is a one-year warranty on all items manufactured by Kiosk Group, including the kiosk enclosure and graphics. The tablet and all peripherals are provided with the manufacturer’s warranty only. Additional support and warranty coverage is available for each as an optional add-on. All software is provided as-is. If voice recognition is not possible in your facility due to background noise, an alternate version of the software without voice recognition will be provided. Graphic panels without the voice activation indicator are available for $129 each or can be substituted on request for the standard panel at the time of purchase for no additional charge.
Is additional support & warranty coverage available for the tablet and/or printer?
Yes.
Optional Swap-a-Star Printer Replacement – for $69 additional per unit, your kiosk can be registered with our printer partner, Star Micronics, who will be the printer replacement depot for your kiosk for 24 months from date of purchase. If a new printer is required after troubleshooting any printer issues, Star Technical Support will drop-ship a replacement printer to your location overnight. This coverage can only be added at time of purchase and is linked to the serial number associated with the printer.
Optional AppleCare+ Coverage – for $169 additional per unit, AppleCare+ extends your iPad warranty coverage to 24 months and includes up to two incidents of accidental damage coverage. Each incident is subject to a service fee of $49, plus applicable tax. AppleCare+ also adds 24/7 priority access to Apple experts by chat or phone. This coverage can only be added at time of purchase and is linked to the serial number associated with the iPad. This coverage is transferred along with ownership at the end of the lease.
What is the return policy for the kiosk?
Due to the current business environment, CheckPoint kiosks are not returnable. All sales are final.
Billing information needed:
● Company Name
● Contact name, phone number and email address
● Please note the information above must match the billing and contact information on your credit card. You may also pay by ACH.
● Billing street, city, state, zip code
Delivery address:
● Company Name
● Contact name, phone number and email address
● Shipping street, building number, etc.
● City, state, zip code
● Indicate whether tax-exempt or not and provide a copy of your tax exempt certificate.
KioskGroup Checkpoint FAQ For Voice Controlled COVID-19 Screening was last modified: August 23rd, 2020 by News Editor
With regard to the FDA, they issued a statement in April 2020 that they “don’t intend to object” to those selling such cameras without FDA 510(k) clearance and the reason why:
Here is a point by point explanation of FDA statement.
FDA Reasoning: Fighting Shortage
The FDA said it is doing this as it wants to address the shortage of such devices
Policy Only Temporary
The FDA emphasized that this guidance is temporary:
Fever Cams Considered Medical Devices
Despite some companies falsely claiming their fever cameras are somehow not medical devices, in this guidance, the FDA clearly states that it does consider these products medical devices and under its regulatory purview
“Undue Risk”
However, the FDA emphasized, in the same guidance, that this only holds “where such devices do not create an undue risk”
FDA Recommendation: Only Use With Thermometer
Yes, the FDA said that 510(k) clearance is temporarily waived, it did state this was as long as the cameras are for “triage use”, i.e. the cameras are paired with a body thermometer to confirm whether the person actually has a fever
FDA Testing/Labeling Recommendations
The FDA recommended the fever cams are “tested and labeled consistent with the following ISO standard: IEC 80601-2-59:2017” or any “alternative performance specifications that provide similar results to IEC 80601-2-59:2017”.
The FDA recommended thermal cams are tested under following “performance specifications” including “measurement uncertainty, is less than or equal to ±0.5°C (±0.9°F) over the temperature range of at least 34-39°C (93.2-102.2°F)”
FDA Recommends Cameras Only Used One Person at A Time
Companies touting multiple goes against the FDA
Prominent Notice Labelling
A ‘prominent notice’ should be included, explaining the measurement should not be solely or primarily relied upon to diagnose or exclude a diagnosis of COVID-19, or any other disease
Mockup by IPVM
Performance and Labeling FDA believes such telethermographic devices will not create such an undue risk when the following circumstances related to the performance of the device and the transparency and clarity of information in the product labeling are present.
FDA recommends that the device:
1) Is tested and labeled consistent with the following standard: IEC 80601-2-59:2017: Medical electrical equipment – Part 2-59: Particular requirements for the basic safety and essential performance of screening thermographs for human febrile temperature screening; OR
2) Is tested using alternative performance specifications that provide similar results to IEC 80601-2-59:2017. This could include:
a) The laboratory temperature accuracy of a screening telethermographic system, including the measurement uncertainty, is less than or equal to ±0.5°C (±0.9°F) over the temperature range of at least 34-39°C (93.2-102.2°F);
b) The system includes an accurate blackbody temperature reference source; 10
c) Both stability and drift are less than 0.2°C (0.36°F) within a timeframe specified by the manufacturer; and
d) The device risk assessment addresses all potential safety issues, including:
i) Electrical safety;
ii) Electromagnetic compatibility;
iii) Mechanical safety;
iv) Excessive temperatures and other hazards;
v) Accuracy of controls, instruments, and information display;
vi) Considerations for software associated with Programmable Electrical Medical Systems including network connections;11 and
vii)Usability.
In addition, FDA recommends that the devices described above use labeling that helps users better understand the device, such as:
1) The labeling includes a prominent notice that the measurement should not be solely or primarily relied upon to diagnose or exclude a diagnosis of COVID-19, or any other disease;
2) The labeling includes a clear statement that:
a) Elevated body temperature in the context of use should be confirmed with secondary evaluation methods (e.g., an NCIT or clinical grade contact thermometer);12
10 This is usually a blackbody (idealized physical body that absorbs all incident electromagnetic radiation) with known temperature and emissivity that can be used for thermal drift compensation.
11 For more information on this recommendation, see Clause 201.14 of IEC 80601-2-59: 2017.
12 This labeling recommendation is consistent with IEC 80601-2-59: 2017.
Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 6
b) Public health officials, through their experience with the device in the particular environment of use, should determine the significance of any fever or elevated temperature based on the skin telethermographic temperature measurement;
c) The technology should be used to measure only one subject’s temperature at a time; and
d) Visible thermal patterns are only intended for locating the points from which to extract the thermal measurement.
3) The labeling includes a clear description of:
a) Device performance specifications and the methodology and frequency of any calibration needed to maintain the labeled specifications;12
b) How to use the thermal image to make a temperature measurement to within the stated device accuracy;
c) A description and purpose of the blackbody reference source (used for thermal drift compensation) and its importance in obtaining an accurate temperature assessment;
d) The reference body site used for temperature estimation, including any calibration or correction needed to estimate the temperature at that location, and the accuracy of the measurement at the reference site (e.g., oral, tympanic membrane);
e) How different environmental and system setup factors can affect the measurement, including the body site chosen for measurement, the condition of the screening site (e.g., screening background, ambient temperature and humidity, airflow);13
f) Different factors to consider in the design of the facility protocol (e.g., installation, viewing angle, blackbody temperature reference source); 14
g) The installation procedures and qualification testing that should be performed during installation or when imaging equipment is being relocated;15 and
h) The appropriate imaging distance based on the spatial resolution and performance of the camera. 16
4) The labeling references and is consistent with the guidelines in ISO/TR 13154: 2017: Medical electrical equipment — Deployment, implementation and operational guidelines for identifying febrile humans using a screening thermograph; and
5) The labeling highlights the differences in design, indications, or functions, as applicable, compared to the unmodified, FDA-cleared version of the product or includes a clear identification that the device is not FDA-cleared or approved.
Comments from one FDA approved vendor
Most of the more reliable systems such as FLIR, Emitted, and ICI, use a “sampled average” method to determine the temperature thresholds, (not absolute temperature), and once established, it is used to screen for outliers.
The sampled average must be recalibrated and updated throughout the screening session. Absolute temperature is not used because of the human skin’s propensity to absorb and emit heat or cold, based on environmental conditions, and provides greater propensity for false positives or negatives. A good non-contact IR system should tightly focus on the inner canthus, the most stabile area and closest to core body temperature. Measuring the forehead or any other facial area is not recommended and subject to the environmental conditions. That’s why black body devices are used, and I believe we are the only solution provider that uses a reference emitter that automatically updates the offset in the software to compensate for thermal drift – without need for manual adjustment.
We tend to be cautious due to so many systems currently being marketed to unsuspecting consumers that are attractively priced, present well, and seem to offer simplicity and autonomy, but then proven fraudulent or claims exaggerated under independent testing boards.
More Resources
Listing of 170 fever or temperature detection providers
Testing of FLIR A400 and A700.
Temperature Kiosk – Explanation of FDA Non-Enforcement Letter was last modified: August 19th, 2020 by News Editor
Our friends at IPVM have been at their testing and verification again. This time they looked at Aratek and they came unimpressed to say the least. Tablets from China (or Taiwan) are difficult to avoid. Many of these tablets will end up being repackaged or modified to a different format. The best advice from KioskIndustry is to buy from a credible and established US source. Insist on technical specs. This one for example says it is an infrared. Well, pardon us if we ask which one. Its like saying our computer kiosks come with a computer. Is it Rockchip? A Raspberry PI. An Intel i7 or one of the new AMD Ryzens (those look nice).
Thanks IPVM
To learn more about technology like this, or to contribute your own point of view or expertise, KMA runs several collaboration working groups which you can participate at no charge. Interested? Contact craig@catareno.com
Selected Excerpts from IPVM
Worst “Fever Detection” Terminal Tested Yet (Aratek)
By: Derek Ward, Published on Aug 17, 2020
Temperature tablets have performed badly in IPVM tests but our newest test of the Aratek BA8200-T is, so far, the worst.
We tested the Aratek BA8200-T, answering the following:
How often did they miss elevated temperatures?
How accurate are measurements vs IR thermometer?
Can it measure taller and shorter people?
How does subject distance to the terminal impact temperature measurements?
How well does it measure with hats and hair covering the forehead?
How accurate is mask detection?
Do glasses/hats affect temperature measurement?
How much can users configure settings on the device?
Can configuration be done remotely?
Executive Summary
In our testing, the Aratek BA8200-T produced “normal” measurements (~97°-99° F) regardless of whether subjects forehead temperature as “normal” or slightly elevated (~99°-100°F). Further, at higher temperatures (~102° -104°F), were even more aggressively normalized.
Additionally, the terminal screened users beyond its recommended measurement distance (~2′) with no noti cation that subjects should move closer or further, resulting in measurements ~0.5°-1°F lower, and subjects who do not stand very still for measurement caused similar decreases.
Finally, mask detection was easily spoofed by covering the bottom half of the face with hands, arms, and everyday objects. Occasionally mask detection would fail to recognize subjects properly wearing masks.
Vs. Dahua / Hikvision / ZKTeco
Compared to Dahua, Hikvision, and ZKTeco temperature measurement terminals, the Aratek BA8200-T suffered from more missed detections. Its main advantage over these competitive models is a lower price (~$600 USD vs. ~$2,000).
Vs. Sperry West / Alibaba Terminals
Compared to the Sperry West and Alibaba terminals we have tested, the Aratek performed similarly, with similar missed elevated temperatures and low/normalize measurements. These models (via Alibaba) are slightly less expensive than the Aratek BA 8200-T at ~$600 online, or less in larger quantities.
Review – Worst Fever Detection Tablet, So Far was last modified: August 19th, 2020 by News Editor
From IPVM members only article Aug2020 – IPVM released article covering Heimann. Heimann is one of the two main thermopile sensors (aka infrared) suppliers. China buys Heimanns and Melexis for use in its temperature tablets. Those are typically complemented by a camera and some software which typically highlights AI in the first sentence. These tablets generally retail on China markets for sub-1000 but there are relabelers in the U.S. charging much higher. KMA is a member of IPVM.
Heimann Sensors Article Excerpts:
Many fever tablet suppliers market German-made Heimann thermal sensors while the company touts its “Essential role in fighting the pandemic”.
We spoke with Heimann Sensor, and in this report, we examine:
Who is Heimann Sensor
What type of sensors Heimann offers
Are Heimann sensors accurate for medical applications
How are thermopiles different from microbolometers
Worldwide demand causing long lead times
Heimann Thermopile Sensors
Heimann offers a wide range of low-cost thermal devices called thermopile arrays in 6 common pixel-size variants from 8×8 to 80×64. Heimann arrays list price ranges from $19 to $270 USD per device. The most common sensors specifed by low-cost fever tablet suppliers are 32×32 or 16×16 and sell for ~$40 for quantities of 200 or more.
Thermopile Versus Microbolometers
The advantages of thermophiles include lower cost and no calibration; however, the disadvantages are lower resolution and less sensitive to variances in temperature. Heimann said that thermopiles are thermally stable and do not drift, unlike microbolometers, so they do not require continued calibration:
From the technical side, thermopiles are stable over time and don’t drift like microbolometers. Devices that drift have to include some method for re-establishing zero. This normally requires a shutter and its mechanism. Re-establishing zero is referred to as
“non-uniformity correction”, sometimes abbreviated as NUC. In this process, the shutter is closed, the electronics tells the microprocessor that there is no infrared input and everything is re-set to zero. Then the shutter is opened, and the measurement is made. However, as soon as the shutter is opened, the microbolometer starts its slow drift again. The NUC has to be performed regularly. From what I have seen, this happens every few minutes.
Thermopiles are less sensitive than microbolometers, are slower to detect changes in temperature, and because of the lower pixel count require a much smaller FoV to have the same pixel spot size.
Heimann said that thermopiles are less expensive and less complex:
From the economic side, thermopiles are less expensive than the microbolometers, which have to include the cost of the shutter assembly.
Not Medical Accuracy Calibrated From Factory
Heimann’s said their factory-calibrated accuracy typically offers ±1 – 2°C over a wide temperature range, and “higher accuracy” near body temperature, but cannot o er medical-grade accuracy calibration:
Notably, many China-made fever tablets market high accuracy performance, ±0.3°C, at 1′-3′ from the tablet. While there a few claiming greater (±0.2°C) or worse (±0.54°C), there is not a wide range of accuracy claims:
IPVM testing has shown that low-cost fever tablets frequently miss elevated skin temperatures and are less accurate than marketed.
Worldwide Demand Increase Causing Supply Issues
Heimann’s US Distributor, Boston Electronics, reported that worldwide demand has created long lead times: Be aware that the worldwide demand for these products is through the roof. Lead times are very long depending upon what you want. We can give you our best estimates of product availability.
Outlook
Regardless of tablet performance, this is clearly a boom for Heimann but IPVM is concerned about using these sensors to do fever /elevated temperature screening given the limitations of the Heiman sensors and OEMs use of compensating algorithms.
KI Notes
We would note in the case of FDA 510K submittals and approvals that there are none for infrared touchless temperature systems such as infrared. These devices have been adapted from the microwave, automotive (defoggers) and other industry uses.
Temperature Kiosk – The German Company Powering Many China Temperature Tablets (Heimann) was last modified: August 19th, 2020 by News Editor
Reported by IPVM Aug2020 — By: Sean Patton and Charles Rollet,
The Baldwin County, Alabama public schools purchased a $1 million, 144-camera Hikvision thermal system to screen fevers at dozens of its schools when reopening tomorrow.
However, there is no indication blackbody devices will be used or that, more generally, FDA/international fever screening guidelines will be strictly followed. Instead, both school and integrator have touted violations of said guidelines, like screening 30 people at once or placing cameras directly at entrances with no chance for an adjustment period.
The system thus risks missing many fevers and allowing coronavirus to spread. The deal also raises ethics issues for using products from a company sanctioned for human rights abuses and federally banned by the US government.
Despite the significant potential public health risks involved, the school district has ignored questions from IPVM since we first reached out almost a month ago, effectively refusing to comment. IPVM even hired a local reporter to request the deal’s contract (because Alabama only allows residents to do so) but the school remained unresponsive. The integrator also ignored our repeated comment requests.
Other Details of this unit: Mobile Monitoring Station provides group photo, still photo, thermo-graphic photo, and video of each person, Audio alarm alerts operator of high skin temperature, Real time skin temperatures displayed on the monitor. Mobile Monitoring Station is complete as shipped and set up; no additional equipment required. Stand-alone unit. No “Black Box” or other background equipment required Accuracy of +/- 2 degrees, Monitoring depth range of 6’ up to 45’, width range of 12’
Mass detect up to 30 people simultaneously. No special electrical requirements, No shipping costs, no installation costs.
More Information
And, yes, there is absolutely an American manufacturer who is a fraction of the price of the Hikvision system and that does true thermography and iris reads, see: Seek Scan Thermal Temperature Screening System Tested
Alabama Schools Million Dollar Hikvision Fever Camera Deal was last modified: August 13th, 2020 by News Editor
MILPITAS, CA—While travelers have started to frequent hotels again, it will likely be a while before any sense of normalcy returns. To help hotels deliver a sense of safety to hotel employees and guests, 22Miles, which offers 3D wayfinding and digital signage technology, has launched a Protection-as-a-Service (PaaS) solution.
“It is likely that we will see an impact on travel at least through 2020, if not longer, with hopes that in 2021 we will start to see normalcy again,” said Tomer Mann, EVP, 22Miles. “The hospitality industry, like many others, took a big hit when the pandemic struck, but along with these challenges also comes new opportunities for hospitality management and executive leadership to adapt and still provide safe and memorable guest experiences.
“To continue to see growth in the travel and hospitality industry, there is a need to support public confidence by taking important operational measures to ensure safety and security,” he added. “One such way to do this is through the implementation of flexible digital signage and wayfinding technology designed specifically to tackle these new COVID-related challenges.”
Enter TempDefend, a protective digital signage communication and direction tool that uses 22Miles’ thermo-sensing technology, advanced camera hardware, facial and body temperature detection software, integrated sensors and dynamic machine learning algorithms for existing or new digital signage displays.
“TempDefend can be positioned at a building’s entrance or at interior building checkpoints, providing protection for hotel properties, to equip them with the ability to confidently open to employees and customers,” Mann said.
The plug-and-play solution is also touch-free: TempDefend delivers instruction via voice command to direct individuals into a camera frame. The thermal sensor technology can scan temperature from up to four feet away.
The best of in-store merchandising, interactive kiosks and store fixtures for brands and retailers nationwide.
The FMA Magazine Winter 2020 issue includes articles on:
5 Benefits of Remote Temperature Screening Kiosks With numerous fever detection devices available, remote temperature screening kiosks are the most beneficial, providing employee privacy and safety, while offering companies convenience and cost savings.
The Evolution of Video Game Retail Display Programs Emerging technological trends and innovative merchandising strategies have helped video game retail displays uniquely position products in front of the gaming audience of today – and tomorrow.
Five Reasons Why Your Restaurant Needs Self-Service Kiosks Lines, waiting, delays, and other inadequacies have become a routine part of the restaurant experience. Luckily, the perfect solution to this problem already exists in self-service kiosks.
Working with FMA
The world is changing, and so are we. We want to keep you abreast of our most up-to-date business procedures and communication methods as well as the retail technologies we’re researching every day.
FMA Magazine Summer 2020 – Temperature Screening. Video Game Retail, Restaurant Kiosks & Visual Merchandising was last modified: August 4th, 2020 by News Editor
Informational article on thermopiles and infrared sensors. Includes 2009 report on swine flu and the use of IR arrays by Craig Keefner
Overview
There are several companies which are the component manufacturer of infrared thermopile sensors and infrared thermopile arrays. They simply provide the sensor component to manufacturers of devices. E.g. non-contact infrared thermometers like in-ear- and forehead thermometers (measuring from a small distance like 2-3cm) or devices for fever screening.
As the technology is basically the same (infrared thermopile), it is in generally possible to use IR array sensors for such kind of applications.
Accuracy and Reliability
The main question is about the accuracy of such systems and the reliability.
Many of the non-contact thermometer manufacturers claim to have FDA approvals for their devices and showing a “medical accuracy” of +-0.2°C. (this is true only if applied correctly).
Now with the upcoming of the new fever screening devices, that aim to measure from a greater distance, there is a need of a sensor with higher resolution, so instead of a “single pixel” like in ear and forehead thermometers, we see the smaller pixel thermopile arrays with different lenses to achieve a certain field of view that is best for their measurement setup. If you want to measure in a distance (like 50 cm), you will have to make sure that enough pixels of the array will be illuminated by the area of interest (e.g. human forehead). So the 33° FOV or 40° FOV are in general good options. (90° FOV is mostly used for person detection or hot spot detection, because it can overview a larger space. If you want to use this for forehead temperature measurements, you will have to come rather close to the sensor to illuminate enough pixels).
When selling factory calibrated thermopile array sensors to customers, several manufacturers state an accuracy of +-3°C or 3% (whichever is higher). This is due to the rather simple factory calibration and the high temperature range 0 to > 500°C the sensors can be used. Some manufacturers also offer an additional calibration for the temperature range of 30-45°C with a higher reproducibility of 0.3°C. Note here, that it is not called accuracy, but reproducibility, because manufacturers cannot guarantee absolute accuracy under any conditions. This is also why the FDA states you should control your ambient conditions.
So again, some manufacturers explicitly make the difference between absolute accuracy and reproducibility when selling sensors to customers. Manufacturers tend to give a rather big error range of +-3°C or 3%, because they will not guarantee for a better accuracy under any conditions. A higher accuracy can be achieved with additional calibration effort, in a limited temperature range and if you control your setup and environmental conditions (like also stated in the FDA guideline).
What also might be of interest for our readers is this paper about fever screening, previously published in 2009 after the swine flu epidemic. There it is shown that fever screening systems are just one tool to identify people with elevated body temperatures, but this will never be an exact measurement, so you will always have to retest with a “medical” thermometer. This paper talks also about the problem of the rate of “false positives” and “false negatives”, depending on the threshold you set on your system. E.g a low threshold will give you many “false positives” (systems judges a fever, even if they do not have one). Then you will have to re-test many people with the “medical” thermometer, but it is very unlikely that you will miss a person with a fever. If you set a higher threshold, you will increase the chance of getting “false negatives” (people with a fever will not be detected).
Thermopile Recommendation:
The KMA recommends multiple measurements and ideally independent lab testing of the specific sensors in the specific configuration, ideally with wide variety of subject including different racial profiles as many factors must be considered.
If we ask most manufacturers, they tend to say that these fever screening devices are only helpful to select people with higher temperatures and then their temperature should be taken again with a medical thermometer to verify.
The problem of claiming accuracies of devices. The attached paper might be of interest because if you measure forehead temperature, you have to understand this is not body temperature (37°C), but well below depending on ambient conditions. Most devices will display temperature around 36° or 37°C, because that is the number most people have in mind when they talk about “normal” human temperature. Most devices will just add an offset to show 37°C instead of the real 35.2°C which is the measured forehead temperature value at room temperature. Article-skin-temperature-2016
Informational Video from one of the device manufacturers:
Standards Which Are Involved
These are standards which are involved. One way to verify quality is to ask potential manufacturers which standards (IEC or ISO or ASTM) are taken into considerations.
It is not unlike asking regarding HIPAA and ADA for that matter.
IEC 80601-2-59 Ed. 2.0 b:2017
Medical electrical equipment – Part 2-59: Particular requirements for the basic safety and essential performance of screening thermographs for human febrile temperature screening
ISO/TR 13154:2017 (en)– Medical electrical equipment — Deployment, implementation and operational guidelines for identifying febrile humans using a screening thermograph
ASTM – https://www.astm.org/Standards/E1965.htm Designation: E1965 − 98 (Reapproved 2016)
Standard Specification for Infrared Thermometers for Intermittent Determination of Patient Temperature 1
Another Point of View
It’s indeed a bit of a wild west out there with all those thermal imaging fever screening solutions popping up and lack of clear standards.
Clarifying, of the many models a manufacturer may offer which are similar there is always specific models that are recommended and deemed suitable for human measurement. Most of the sensors are used in microwaves checking food temperature.
This is an excellent standard (FDA refers to the same one) clearly stating the required accuracy for a medical-approved body thermometer using a single pixel.
For an unattended kiosk the difficult part is the distance between sensor and test person. A body thermometer gun can be brought easily close to the forehead of a person (if need be a few cm), but it’s not always practical to bring the forehead of a person in a few cm range of the kiosk sensor.
The wider the field of view (FoV) of the sensor, the shorter the distance should be between forehead and sensor, so specifically for kiosk applications, the KMA recommends a narrow FOV such as 5 deg FoV which can achieve +/-0.2C in the relevant (according to ASTM) body temp range.
Manufacturers have customers claiming solutions going up to 20-25cm distance under the condition the sensor is aimed perfectly at the forehead.
The correct alignment is usually guaranteed by integrating a CMOS camera in the solution checking position of the face. Such a solution could in principle claim an FDA certificate as “medical body thermometer”, provided they run the necessary clinical tests.
The benefits of having a thermopile array instead of a single-pixel is you can in principle have a lot of such narrow FoV pixels sitting next to each other.
Today the technology is not yet good enough to achieve +/0.2C and qualify as medical body thermometer, but the question rises if that is really necessary for a kiosk fever screening system and if not, who will define what level of accuracy is necessary.
IEC 80601-2-59:2017 is well-regarded standard, but heavily tailored towards bolometer technology so it’s not really useful from a thermopile point of view. (as mentioned before thermopile technology doesn’t drift heavily like bolometers do, so having that reference black body within the thermal image makes little sense)
A lot of work in progress for device makers and regulatory bodies. Interesting times to say the least.
Request More Information
You can request more information and the also any of the standards mentioned here by contacting us.
As a service to the community here is paper from Journal of Hospital Infection listing their results on Persistence of coronavirus on inanimate surfaces and their inactivation with biocidal agents. Thanks to Vispero for forwarding the information onto us. We are also hoping to receive some additional information on powder coat (polymer and paint).
Summary
Currently, the emergence of a novel human coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has become a global health concern causing severe respiratory tract infections in humans. Human-to-human transmissions have been described with incubation times between 2-10 days, facilitating its spread via droplets, contaminated hands or surfaces. We therefore reviewed the literature on all available information about the persistence of human and veterinary coronaviruses on inanimate surfaces as well as inactivation strategies with biocidal agents used for chemical disinfection, e.g. in healthcare facilities. The analysis of 22 studies reveals that human coronaviruses such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) coronavirus, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus or endemic human
coronaviruses (HCoV) can persist on inanimate surfaces like metal, glass or plastic for up to 9 days, but can be efficiently inactivated by surface disinfection procedures with 62e71% ethanol, 0.5% hydrogen peroxide or 0.1% sodium hypochlorite within 1 minute. Other biocidal agents such as 0.05e0.2% benzalkonium chloride or 0.02% chlorhexidine digluconate are less effective. As no specific therapies are available for SARS-CoV-2, early containment and prevention of further spread will be crucial to stop the ongoing outbreak and to control this novel infectious thread.
As states begin easing COVID-19-related business restrictions, many companies have been careful to enact strategies that allow a safe return to operations.
Unsurprisingly, many are looking to fever detection systems as a first step to help flag associates who are running a temperature and are at risk of bringing an illness into the workplace.
These detection devices can range from handheld scanners to self-service kiosks, but the most beneficial system to employers is a remote temperature screening kiosk that allows an agent to monitor employee temperatures from an offsite location. Read more about the advantages of remote temperature detection.
Employee Health Privacy
Many regulations exist regarding workplace temperature screening, which is classified as a type of medical examination. As a result of the pandemic, however, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has relaxed some guidelines to allow employers to measure an employee’s temperature to prevent a potential workplace outbreak.
With these reduced restrictions, though, comes an increased focus on employee privacy. How can employers capture information while still abiding by confidentiality requirements? Further, how can employees who scan positive for a fever maintain discretion to avoid social stigma?
Current solutions like kiosk stations risk a line full of employees seeing a fever indicator alert pop onscreen during a colleague’s testing. Handheld scanners aren’t much better when the examiner must relay the information to the person being tested.
Fortunately, remote temperature screening kiosks provide the solution to protect employee privacy since they are manned by an individual offsite who reads the results. Software providers can work with different employers to establish a process to alert the employee without risking a breach of confidentiality. Options include text messages or push notifications to a phone, alerts to an employee’s email, and more.
Convenience for Large Corporations
Remote temperature screening is especially beneficial to companies with multiple locations. Assessing temperatures at each site with handheld scanners or scanning stations is a costly process, involving expensive labor with a minimum hourly requirement. These routes also open the door to different standards or processes performed at each, leading to potential inaccuracies.
Having a centralized hub to oversee operations can ensure convenience and consistency as well as quickly flag any locations that might pose a possible threat for an outbreak based on the number of positive test results.
Employee and Staff Safety
Current social distance recommendations encourage people to stay six feet apart. Handheld scanners do not allow employees and temperature-takers to abide by this rule, thus increasing the risk of spreading illness.
In addition, self-service kiosks have been a growing option for temperature screening, however, employers put the responsibility on employees to observe the rules if a fever is detected. They also give the impression that employers are taking a “hands-off” approach to monitoring important vitals.
With remote temperature screening kiosks, employees can quickly step between the kiosk and the thermal imaging camera without having to interact with a person or touch a screen. Within seconds, the reader can take the person’s temperature, and he or she is done. And while these kiosks grant the ease of self-service, they’re still supervised by staff who can identify fevers and alert the employees.
A Less Expensive Option
Dedicating staff or contracting a service to monitor temperatures with handheld thermal guns or thermal imaging stations can be a costly endeavor, oftentimes requiring a level of medical training for current employees or a minimum number of commissioned hours through a service.
Remote temperature screening kiosks eliminate the need for extra staffing costs, allowing HR personnel or other dedicated agents to screen multiple locations from one place.
Long Term Benefits
Currently, Frank Mayer and Associates, Inc. partners with employee engagement software provider Agile Force to offer remote temperature screening kiosks that go beyond just temperature monitoring. The remote engagement software allows Human Resources departments and staffing agencies to monitor shift changes, greet new hires, connect employees to departments like HR, payroll, or telemedicine, interview job candidates, and much more.
Not only does this help companies get more immediate use out of a kiosk investment, but it also extends the utility of the kiosks long after the need for temperature reading has passed.
Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic has required companies to map out unique strategies to bring back staff while preserving safety in the workplace. With numerous fever detection options in the field, companies will realize the greatest benefits when employing remote temperature screening kiosks.
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As a leading voice in the interactive kiosk industry, Frank Mayer and Associates, Inc. has developed a remote temperature screening kiosk that utilizes software and thermal imaging cameras to scan body temperatures. But its capabilities extend well beyond that. Read more about this unique solution.
Five Benefits of Temperature Screening Kiosks was last modified: July 6th, 2020 by News Editor
Opinion – the state of temperature kiosks and the wide range of specs and solutions and claims that exist in the marketplace.
As government and corporate America develop post-COVID-19 action plans for responsibly reopening the country, some businesses are scrambling to keep up with the demand for thermal cameras, which many believe can help identify novel coronavirus cases via elevated temperature detection.
We see many RFPs from governmental agencies for temperature and thermal sensing devices. Federal such FEMA and the Veterans Administration among them.
There are also several pitfalls and challenges with this technology when it comes to detecting somebody with an elevated body temperature. Things that can affect the accuracy of the measurement are:
Makeup
Physiological Stress
Sweating
Insufficient Camera Resolution
Measuring the wrong location on the face
Not using a reference black body for calibration
Using the wrong camera
Subject motion
Some observations:
The fact that the key measurement is temperature would seem to imply that the manufacturer has a superior device or at least a documented device. Does your supplier describe the sensor for you, or do they provide specifications?
Some solutions utilizing non-FDA-approved devices in the cause of health condition check have been withdrawn due to potential liability issues the device manufacturer might be subjected to.
Does the camera support a black body calibration?
Cameras have a NETD factor which is basically the noise floor it will factor and then read the signal. Almost like squelch discrimminators in RF radios. Being able to filter noise out from the measurement is crucial. What is the factor and spec?
ADA and height can be a factor — Some solutions provide AI which automatically detects the face and focuses. Others will not.
Reflected light impacts the measurement. In junior high I entered the Science Fair and for my project I demonstrated Albedo. A black man or a hispanic or a white person can all measure differently.
Are you reading body temperature or facial temperature.
In conclusion, the most important questions to ask a potential supplier are:
What is the spatial resolution?
How long has your solution/camera been on the market?
Has your solution been used successfully during the SARS outbreak?
What is the ideal distance to subject during screening?
Does your camera have a 510k approval?
How many pixels?
Temperature Sensor Device Examples
Industrial infrared temperature sensors are inexpensive and used everywhere in home and industrial. Your microwave for example. They read surface temperature if aimed properly and clean and calibrated (all sensors require cleaning and calibration)
The Heimann sensor is the first we encountered. The HPTA32x32 (64 pixel) “thermopile array”.
From PRNewswire Jul2020 — The Kiosk Manufacturer Association (KMA) is issuing a cautionary advisory regarding temperature check kiosks and fever detection kiosks.
DENVER, July 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — As government and corporations across the world develop post-COVID-19 action plans for responsibly reopening, some businesses are scrambling to keep up with the demand for thermal cameras, which many believe can help identify novel coronavirus cases via elevated temperature detection. These devices are also known as NCIT or non-contact infrared thermometers.
We have seen many RFPs from governmental agencies for temperature and thermal sensing devices. Federal such FEMA and the Veterans Administration among them.
Temperature Check Kiosk Advisory
There are several pitfalls and challenges with this technology when it comes to detecting somebody with elevated body temperature. The solutions range from sub-$1000 to over $30K depending on accuracy, regulatory certification and more. The KMA reminds the public that declared compliance is only a form of self-regulation. Self-declared UL or EMV compliance is not the same as UL-certified for example.
Some thermal imagers may even incorporate components from Chinese companies that have been officially blacklisted for security reasons recently. There is a rush, in China, to replicate many of the IR array sensors manufactured in the UK and Germany. IR array sensors generally have a very low pixel count (and resolution) but they are the “inexpensive” choice de jour. You can think of it in terms of color resolution with 65K, or 256K, or 64K or 32K image resolution.
The KMA recommends understanding exactly what level solution is being offered. Generally speaking, inexpensive solutions will use inexpensive components. KMA companies serve self-service kiosk markets all over the world with members from Germany, the United Kingdom and the Philippines for example. Regulatory standards such as ADA, HIPAA, PCI/EMV, UL and FDA/medical are understood and applied. KMA members can provide any level of EBT solution you need.
To help educate and provide factual data the KMA has several resources available:
As discussed further below, scientific studies support that certain telethermographic systems, also known as thermal imaging systems, may be used to measure surface skin temperature. These systems include an infrared …
From KMA Global Jun2020 Temperature Kiosks Advisory and Caution – Public Service Announcement By KMA Manager | June 29, 2020 As government and corporate America develop post-COVID-19 action plans for responsibly reopening the country, some businesses …
As government and corporate America develop post-COVID-19 action plans for responsibly reopening the country, some businesses are scrambling to keep up with the demand for thermal cameras, which many believe …
Kiosk Manufacturer Association Temperature Kiosk Public Service Announcement was last modified: July 6th, 2020 by News Editor
With over 25,000 kiosks installed across 60 countries, we are
one of the world’s leading kiosk manufacturers and have built
a strong reputation for delivering exceptional products
to some of the world’s largest brands. These include
McDonald’s, Google, Walmart, Mastercard and Tesco.
These new health solutions are made in the USA and available for immediate deployment in a variety of settings, such as corporate, retail, hospitality, education, transit and more.
Peerless-AV® Creates Multiple Health Protocol Solutions to Assist with Occupancy Control, Temperature Sensing, and more
New solutions, from tabletop and floor stands, to small and large format integrated kiosks that are completely customizable to assist businesses with public health and safety needs
AURORA, Ill. – June 11, 2020 – Peerless-AV®, an award-winning designer and manufacturer of the highest quality audio and video solutions and accessories, is pleased to share the availability of new solutions for public health preparedness and viral transmission prevention. The new products include an Occupancy Control Kiosk, three variations of Temperature Sensing Digital Signage Kiosks, as well as Temperature Sensor Tabletop and Floor Stand Mounts that will allow businesses to communicate and implement proper health standards in real time. These new health protocol solutions are made in the USA and available for immediate deployment in a variety of settings, such as corporate, retail, hospitality, education, transit and more.
“We took the time to research what type of solutions were needed to keep both employees and customers safe and satisfied,” said Brian McClimans, VP Sales, Peerless-AV. “We looked into a variety of different studies, surveyed consumers and had detailed discussions with our current customers to develop these products, and we firmly believe these solutions will become a part of prevention protocols all industries are implementing as the country begins to reopen.”
Peerless-AV’s lightweight and durable Temperature Sensor Stand Mounts (THR-100-COUNTER, THR-200-STAND) are offered for tabletop or floor applications. With installer-friendly features, such as internal cable management and clearance holes in the base to secure the mount to a surface or leave free-standing for quick reposition, these mounts are designed to support an 8″ temperature sensor tablet (not included). Once the stand is paired with a self-service, non-contact temperature screening tablet, it will alert individuals of heightened temperature status.
Click for full size image
Peerless-AV is also offering three new small-format, indoor Kiosks for public spaces. The first version of the Temperature Sensing Digital Signage Kiosk (THR-300) is integrated with a 22″ display, as well as non-touch, thermal sensing TempDefendTM Protection Basic Software from 22Miles. The second option of the Temperature Sensing Digital Signage Kiosk (THR-400) is integrated with a 21.5″ Mimo Monitors Display and digital signage software from Revel Digital, which provides detection within 3′ and temperature readings up to 18″. The third variation of the Temperature Sensing Digital Signage Kiosk (THR-500) comes with personal protection dispensers for refillable touch-free antibacterial foam dispenser, disposable gloves and facial tissues, and accommodates a 32″ display, FLIR temperature camera, as well as non-touch, thermal sensing TempDefendTM Protection Basic Software from 22Miles.
These small format, indoor kiosks feature a thermo-sensing system that leverages a combination of camera technology, facial and body temperature detection software, integrated sensors, and dynamic machine learning algorithms to aid in the prevention of viral spread, while also working as a dynamic digital signage solution when needed. The self-service, non-contact temperature screening system will alert individuals of heightened temperature status as they enter the premise, alleviating customer and staff concerns. It will also capture analytics that confirm operational compliance and Human Resource requirements.
The ongoing concern for public health has further emphasized the need for regulating the flow of foot traffic in public places. To aid businesses worldwide, in managing customer and employee access to keep everyone healthy and comply with new regulations, Peerless-AV has partnered with Navori Labs to introduce a new, completely integrated digital signage solution for occupancy control. The Occupancy Control Kiosk (THR-600) is integrated with a display, Navori Labs QL 2.2 Digital Signage Software, media player, and web camera. This indoor, portrait kiosk regulates foot traffic at each point of entry and detects if a visitor is wearing a mask, while also displaying dynamic digital messaging, such as rules, instructions, wait times, promotions, and other information.
While these standard kiosk solutions are available, Peerless-AV also offers customization options to create unique solutions that help businesses meet their specific requirements and margins. Peerless-AV kiosks are customizable in every way – from the choice of integrated technology to custom paint and vinyl wraps. Through offering the ability to adapt and equip businesses with a customized solution to address health concerns, Peerless-AV hopes that more businesses are able to operate safely.
“Peerless-AV is committed to providing businesses with a variety of solutions to choose from that will allow them to communicate and implement proper health protocols to protect their employees and their visitors alike. It was also very important for us to develop a versatile product that can be repurposed into a dynamic digital signage device should temperature sensing no longer be required,” said Nick Belcore, Executive Vice President, Peerless-AV. “These new health protocol solutions are ideal for corporate, public transit, retailers, stadiums and beyond. Customers can expect these new offerings to meet a variety of needs with the same level of support you have come to expect from Peerless-AV.”
In addition to these new solutions, Peerless-AV has also been involved in several global projects designing health protocol solutions, such as the recently launched bundled Digital Signage Solutions from Peerless-AV, as well partnering with LG to provide businesses with bundled Health Protocol Solutions.
Please contact a Peerless-AV Sales Representative for more information: www.peerless-av.com/pages/sales-contacts
For over 75 years, passion and innovation continue to drive Peerless-AV forward. We proudly design and manufacture the highest quality products, including outdoor displays and TVs, complete integrated kiosks, video wall mounting systems, professional carts and stands, and more. Whether a full-scale global deployment or custom project, Peerless-AV develops meaningful relationships and delivers world-class service. In partnership with Peerless-AV, you are trusting an award-winning team of experts who will support your business every step of the way. For more information, visit peerless-av.com.
As discussed further below, scientific studies support that certain telethermographic systems, also known as thermal imaging systems, may be used to measure surface skin temperature. These systems include an infrared thermal camera and may have a temperature reference source. In this document, they are referred to as thermal imaging systems.
Thermal imaging systems and non-contact infrared thermometers (NCITs) use different forms of infrared technology to measure temperature. For information about NCITs, please refer to the fact sheet on Non-contact Infrared Thermometers.
Thermal Imaging Systems and COVID-19
When used correctly, thermal imaging systems generally have been shown to accurately measure someone’s surface skin temperature without being physically close to the person being evaluated. Thermal imaging systems offer certain benefits in that other methods need a closer proximity or contact to measure temperature (for example, non-contact infrared thermometers or oral thermometers).
Temperature-based screening, such as thermal imaging, is not effective at determining if someone definitively has COVID-19 because, among other things, a person with COVID-19 may not have a fever. A diagnostic test must be performed to determine if someone has COVID-19.
Thermal imaging systems have not been shown to be accurate when used to take the temperature of multiple people at the same time. The accuracy of these systems depends on careful set-up and operation, as well as proper preparation of the person being evaluated.
Thermal imaging systems have been used by several countries during epidemics, although information about their effectiveness as part of efforts to reduce the spread of disease has been mixed.
The FDA issued the Enforcement Policy for Telethermographic Systems During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency guidance to help expand the availability of thermal imaging systems and mitigate thermometer shortages during the public health emergency. The guidance sets forth an enforcement policy that is intended to apply to all thermal imaging systems that are intended for medical purposes for the duration of the public health emergency related to COVID-19, and provides recommendations regarding performance and labeling of such systems.
Figure 1 demonstrates the proper thermal imaging setup for processing of individual people in a public area.
Benefits of Thermal Imaging Systems
The person who handles the thermal imaging system is not required to be physically close to the person being evaluated. In fact, the person who handles the thermal imaging system could be in a different area or room.
The thermal imaging system may measure surface skin temperature faster than the typical forehead or oral (mouth) thermometer that requires a close distance or physical contact with the person being evaluated.
Scientific studies show that, when used correctly, thermal imaging systems generally measure surface skin temperature accurately.
Limitations of Thermal Imaging Systems
Although these systems may be in use for initial temperature assessment to triage individuals in high throughput areas (for example, airports, businesses and sporting events), the systems have not been shown to be effective when used to take the temperature of multiple people at the same time. They should not be used for “mass fever screening.”
These systems measure surface skin temperature, which is usually lower than a temperature measured orally. Thermal imaging systems must be adjusted properly to correct for this difference in measurements.
These systems work effectively only when all the following are true:
The systems are used in the right environment or location.
The systems are set up and operated correctly.
The person being assessed is prepared according to instructions.
The person handling the thermal imaging system is properly trained.
Proper Use of Thermal Imaging Systems
The person who handles the system should follow all manufacturer instructions to make sure the system is set up properly and located where it can measure surface skin temperature accurately.
The person who handles the system should be trained to properly prepare both the location where the system will be used, and the person being evaluated, to increase accuracy. For details, see the standards and scientific papers listed under References below.
Preparing the Area where You will Use a Thermal Imaging System
Room temperature should be 68-76 °F (20-24 °C) and relative humidity 10-50 percent.
Try to control other items that could impact the temperature measurement:
Avoid reflective backgrounds (for example, glass, mirrors, metallic surfaces) to minimize reflected infrared radiation.
Use in a room with no draft (movement of air), out of direct sunlight and away from radiant heat (for example, portable heaters, electrical sources).
Avoid strong lighting (for example, incandescent, halogen and quartz tungsten halogen light bulbs).
Figure 2 demonstrates the proper thermal imaging room setup.
Preparing the Thermal Imaging System
Some systems require the use of a calibrated blackbody (a tool for checking the calibration of an infrared temperature sensor) during evaluation to make sure measurements are accurate. Check the manufacturer’s instructions to determine if a calibrated blackbody is needed. Some devices do not require one.
Turn on the entire system 30 minutes before use to warm it up.
Preparing the Person Being Evaluated
The person handling the system should make sure the person being evaluated:
Does not have any face obstructions before measurement (such as a mask, glasses, hat, headband, or scarf), the person’s hair is pulled away from the face, and the person’s face is clean and dry.
Does not have a higher or lower face temperature from wearing excessive clothing or head covers (for example, headbands, bandanas) or from using facial cleansing products (for example, cosmetic wipes).
Has waited at least 15 minutes in the measurement room or 30 minutes after exercising, strenuous physical activity, bathing, or using hot or cold compresses on the face.
Figure 3 demonstrates the proper thermal imaging setup for processing of individual people using a calibrated blackbody background.
Using the Thermal Imaging System
Measure only one person’s surface skin temperature at a time.
Position the person at a fixed distance (follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use) from the thermal imaging system, directly facing the camera.
The image area should include the person’s whole face and the calibrated blackbody, if using one.
If an increased temperature is seen using the thermal imaging system, you should use a different method to confirm a fever. Public health officials can help you determine if the fever is a sign of infection.
Questions about Using Thermal Imaging Systems during COVID-19
Q: Are thermal imaging systems effective for screening people for fevers in places like nursing homes, airports, and hospital emergency rooms?
A: When using a thermal imaging system, it is important to assess whether the system will provide the intended results in high throughput areas. We understand that these devices are being used for initial temperature assessment and triage of individuals for elevated temperatures in medical and non-medical environments. They should not be used for measuring temperatures of many people at the same time in crowded areas, in other words “mass fever screening” is not recommended.
Based on where the system will be used, there may be more appropriate methods to initially assess and triage people, especially if there is a risk that infected people would not be identified right away. For example:
In a nursing home, inaccurate temperature measurement or a missed contagious person without a fever could spread infection among nursing home residents. So, in this case, other assessment options and following infection control practices may be more effective.
In airports, workplaces, grocery stores, concert venues, or other areas where you are trying to screen large groups of people for mass fever screening, diagnostic testing may be too difficult because of the time and costs needed to screen and get results. These systems will likely miss most individuals with COVID-19 who are contagious. Thermal imaging systems could be considered as one method for initial temperature assessment in these types of settings when used as part of a larger approach to risk management.
In a hospital emergency room, a thermal imaging system may help to quickly assess temperature and triage patients to determine who needs more evaluation or isolation.
Q: Are thermal imaging systems effective as the sole means of diagnosing COVID-19?
A: No. A fever or higher body temperature is only one possible symptom of a COVID-19 infection. Thermal imaging systems generally detect a high body temperature accurately when used appropriately. They do not detect any other infection symptoms, and many people with COVID-19 can be contagious without a fever. Also, a high body temperature does not necessarily mean a person has a COVID-19 infection.
All fevers measured by thermal imaging systems should be confirmed by another method and followed by more diagnostic evaluations for other symptoms, as appropriate.
Q: How can thermal imaging systems help with the COVID-19 response?
A: To help address urgent public health concerns raised by shortages of temperature measurement products and expand the availability of telethermographic systems used for initial body temperature for triage use during this COVID-19 public health emergency, the FDA is applying regulatory flexibility for certain telethermographic systems as outlined in its enforcement policy.
When a high body temperature is identified by thermal imaging, an additional evaluation should follow (for example, doctor evaluations or interview, laboratory testing and patient observation).
Q: Are thermal imaging systems used for body temperature assessment considered medical devices?
A: As discussed in the enforcement policy, telethermographic systems are devices when they are intended for a medical purpose. To determine if these products are intended for a medical purpose, FDA will consider whether:
They are labeled or otherwise intended for use by a health care professional;
They are labeled or otherwise for use in a health care facility or environment; and
They are labeled for an intended use that meets the definition of a device, for example, body temperature measurement for diagnostic purposes, including in non-medical environments.
Q: How does a thermal imaging system differ from a thermometer?
A: Both thermal imaging systems and non-contact infrared thermometers (NCIT) can measure surface temperatures without contact. An NCIT measures surface temperature in a single location, whereas a thermal imaging system can measure temperature differences across multiple locations, creating a relative temperature map of a region of the body. The enforcement policy in the guidance applies to use of thermal imaging systems to determine initial body temperature measurements.
Note, this information is applicable to thermal imaging systems that are intended for a medical purpose. This means that the system is intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions, or in the cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease and, therefore, meets the definition of “device” set forth in Section 201(h) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
For more information on FDA’s policies for these devices, and recommendations on their design, labeling, and use during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, please review the following:
Additional information on these devices can be found at:
IEC 80601-2-59: Medical electrical equipment – Part 2-59: Particular requirements for basic safety and essential performance of screening thermoghraphs for human febrile temperature screening. 2017, International Electrotechnical Commission & International Organization for Standardization.
ISO/TR 13154: Medical electrical equipment — Deployment, implementation and operational guidelines for identifying febrile humans using a screening thermograph. 2017, International Organization for Standardization.
Industrial infrared temperature sensors are inexpensive and used everywhere in home and industrial. Your microwave for example. They read surface temperature if aimed properly and clean and calibrated (all sensors require cleaning and calibration)
The Heimann sensor is the first we encountered. The HPTA32x32 (64 pixel) “thermopile array”.
They have been adapted for reading temperatures of foreheads basically and are at the low end of the accuracy scale.
None of these are FDA approved or submitted.
Thermal Imaging Cameras
These are a whole magnitude higher weight-class. Several of them are specifically designed for supplemental elevated body temperature. They do this by zooming and focusing on specific areas of the face like tearducts. IR Arrays have limited spatial resolution and must average many regions and samples in order to provide a general value.
FLIR is the manufacturer most used. They have several which certified by FDA and others submitted.
Another option is ICI though there are some questions on FDA 510 (we cannot locate them) as well as some components used.
these – I won’t mention the school system name because I do know we’re buying them, installed, about $2,000 cheaper a camera than what they are, they’re getting the same exact camera, we feel like it’s a good price point for us, we’ve seen it from $2,000 a device up to $100,000 per device, the prices are coming down now that more and more people are getting into the market [emphasis added]
giving thermal cameras a crucial comparison tool. Below is 
