Systems and approaches for obtaining temperature measurements using thermal imaging

A reference illumination system for use with a temperature detection system, the reference illumination system including:

• a substrate having at least one reference calibration unit operably coupled therewith such that the substrate is at least partially constructed from a solid metal embedded therein, wherein the at least one reference calibration unit is operably coupled to an arm extending from a housing that includes a thermal imaging system such that the at least one reference calibration unit is visible to the thermal imaging system;
• and wherein the at least one reference calibration unit includes:
• a first metallic shim having an inner side and an outer side;
• a thermoelectric cooler module having a first side and a second side, the first side of the thermoelectric cooler being operably coupled with the inner side of the first metallic shim;
• a temperature sensor operably coupled with the first metallic shim;
• a second metallic shim having an inner side and an outer side, the inner side of the second metallic shim being operably coupled with the second side of the thermoelectric cooler;
• and
• an emissivity coating applied to at least one surface of the first metallic shim or the second metallic shim.

A method of preparing a reference illumination system, the method comprising:

• providing a substrate having at least one opening;
• operably coupling at least one reference calibration unit with the substrate, comprising the steps of:
• disposing a first metallic shim having an inner side and an outer side within the opening of the substrate;
• providing a thermoelectric cooler module having a first side and a second side;
• operably coupling the first side of the thermoelectric cooler with the inner side of the first metallic shim;
• operably coupling a temperature sensor with the first metallic shim;
• providing a second metallic shim having an inner side and an outer side;
• operably coupling the inner side of the second metallic shim with the second side of the thermoelectric cooler;
• and
• applying an emissivity coating to at least one surface of the first metallic shim or the second metallic shim, wherein the substrate is operably coupled to an arm extending from a housing that includes a thermal imaging system such that the at least one reference calibration unit is visible to the thermal imaging system.

A temperature detection system for determining a surface temperature, the temperature detection system comprising:

• a housing;
• a thermal imaging system at least partially disposed within the housing, the thermal imaging system configured to capture at least one thermal image of a subject;
• an arm operably coupled with and extending from the housing;
• and
• a reference illumination system operably coupled with the arm, the reference illumination system including a substrate having at least one reference calibration unit operably coupled therewith such that the substrate is at least partially constructed from a solid metal embedded therein, wherein the at least one reference calibration unit is visible to the thermal imaging system.