2020 2nd International Conference on Advances in Computing, Communication Control and Networking (ICACCCN)
Touch-less Temperature Detection and Disinfection
2020 2nd International Conference on Advances in Computing, Communication Control and Networking (ICACCCN) | 978-1-7281-8337-4/20/$31.00 ©2020 IEEE | DOI: 10.1109/ICACCCN51052.2020.9362953
System for Industries
Gunjan Chaudhary Abhishek Kumar
AKTU GCET
Lucknow,India Greater Noida, India
gunnjanc2@gmail.com aabhishekkumar2711@
gmail.com
Abstract—Workplaces like the ones in industrial and
manufacturing sectors, out of all the other places of large
gatherings, are more likely to be a hub of several unattended
asymptotic carriers. If somehow, these carriers of pathogens
could be filtered out of the working areas, others would have a
safer atmosphere to work in. We propose a multi-functional
system with automatic temperature detection that enables the
differentiation of those carriers having a febrile body
temperature from the afebrile ones, without any human
supervision. Furthermore, we introduce sanitization modules
for humans who do not have a febrile body temperature, yet are
suspicious for being carriers of harmful pathogens. In order to
ensure that the interiors of the system are harmless and germ-
free, a self-disinfecting technique is integrated into the system
that is executed only on complete vacancy, at regular time
intervals. In addition, a metal detection module assists in
maintaining the security norms of the industry. The presented
system is automatic, which primarily focusses on the touch-less
operation and helps in avoiding the risk of getting infected due
to direct physical contact with the system or other people. The
collective implication of these modules makes the system easily
installable and operable, cost-effective and time-efficient.
Keywords—metal detector, UV disinfection, automatic
temperature detection, sanitization, motion sensor
I. INTRODUCTION
With the increasing vulnerability of a human body towards
infectious diseases, over the years, the major challenge for
engineers has been to bring about better technological
developments and their continuous upgradations towards
sanitation and disinfection. Infectious diseases kill over 17
million people a year [1]. Instrumentation has made it possible
to measure a person’s body temperature without physically
approaching the skin. Our system uses an ultrasonic sensor to
detect a person’s presence, which further enables the infrared
thermometer to measure the body temperature of the detected
subject. Possessing a body temperature above 100ºF makes
the subject inadmissible for the industry or workplace.
However, being within the permissible range of temperatures,
the subject becomes eligible for undergoing further processes
of sanitization and metal detection. A ringed structure is
employed to carry out both of these processes in four co-
dependent steps, dedicated to the removal of dust particles,
sanitization, drying off sanitizer and metal detection. All these
touch-less mechanisms restrict direct contact with likely
infected surfaces and interiors of the system. A self-
disinfecting technology using the UV-C radiation is
specifically designed to take care of these interiors and make
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Praveen Kumar Kushagra Singh
GCET AKTU
Greater Noida, India Lucknow,India
pkm6@hotmail.co.uk ankit.singh.1997277@g
mail.com
them germ-free. To ensure proper sterilization of the
contaminated surfaces at specified time gaps, the disinfection
module initiates automatically, after confirming there is a
complete vacancy within the applicable range of disinfection.
Conclusively, the versatile features of the system make it very
economical and handy and provide a major solution to today’s
increasing need for touch-free types of machinery in almost
all parts of our modern lifestyle.
II. LITERATURE REVIEW
The system uses the concept of motion detection, using the
Ultrasonic sensor and PIR (Passive Infrared) sensor. The
ultrasonic sensor sends out sound waves and tracks any
change in its echo due to obstacle(s) in the path of the waves.
The PIR sensor falls under the category of local sensing, that
detects a change in IR radiations in a designated area [2]. The
PIR sensor is called passive because it doesn’t emit any rays,
rather just detects the change in the maintained surrounding
temperature. The ultrasonic sensor is more sensitive towards
even the slightest of motion, like that of air. Thus, it is used
inside the system, and the PIR sensor is designated the outer
arc of the system. Their collective implication ensures the
presence/absence of a motile body, both in and around the
system. The earliest temperature measurement in medical
practices did not require exact numeral estimation, and only
comparable judgements used to be enough for detecting fever
in a person [3]. However, advancements in measurement
techniques have made it possible to scale precise degree or
levels of temperature. Progressively, modern non-contact
thermometers (like the infrared thermometer, tympanic
thermometers, and thermal scanners) are gradually replacing
the traditional thermometers (mercury in glass thermometer)
that required comparatively longer processing time and direct
contact with the skin of the sick person [4]. Non-contact
thermometers using the infrared radiations are harmless
towards human skin and enable fast temperature detection
from a safe distance. The infrared thermal sensor MLX90614
has a range of 0 - 55ºC (32 - 131ºF), and resolution of 0.1ºC.
A metal detector is an instrument that detects a change in
magnetic flux, due to the presence of any conducting metallic
object within the vicinity of its coil. They are most commonly
used for security screening purposes at places like airports and
prisons, and often in archaeological inspections or detection
of foreign metal objects in processed and consumable food
items [5]. In some experimental failures, metal detectors,
though working correctly, were unable to detect the targeted
object, because of the unwanted magnetic fields caused by
 2020 2nd International Conference on Advances in Computing, Communication Control and Networking (ICACCCN)
surrounding metal structures and instrument bodies, which
constantly confused the detectors for false detection.
However, taking care of these sources of errors, advanced and
more accurate metal detectors are being used according to the
current trends in the field.
The need for sanitisation has rapidly spiked in almost all
parts of our lives. When the global pandemic of Covid-19 hit
the world with infections, many sanitisation tunnels were
installed across the nation. However, according to the World
Health Organisation (WHO), spraying sanitiser over the body
in unadvised amounts might be harmful to clothes or mucous
membranes (i.e. eyes, mouth) [6]. Therefore, those systems
were shut down as per government orders, until the recent
NCL-ICT study proved that using 0.02% (for regular office
workers) to 0.05% (for frontline doctors, nurses and medical
staffs) of sanitiser does not provoke any harmful effect on
normal skin, and is capable enough to kill the microbes over
the body. The sanitisation module, thus, makes sure a person
entering into the workplace is sanitised from head to toe, all
over his clothes and exposed body parts, and dried out well to
avoid any kind of irritation to the skin.
Studies revealed that methods like heating sterilization,
ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) and chemical
disinfection, are effective enough to inactivate 90-98% of
viruses and germs on surfaces. The UVGI mechanism uses
light at a wavelength of about 253.7 nm, which effectually
leads to the decimation of the nucleic acid of the viral bodies
and makes them ineffective [7]. Since the UV radiations are
harmful to skin and can cause skin cancer, it should not be
used in the presence of any living body.
III. OBJECTIVE(S)
Firstly, the system has an independent module for
temperature detection that aims at segregating the people who
have a body temperature of more than 100º F, from the ones
having lower and normal human body temperature. Those
who do not possess an allowable body temperature (<100ºF)
are considered unfit to work and shouldn’t be allowed to enter
the industry or workplace.
Secondly, the sanitization module is designed in a way that
it starts with the brushing off of removable dust particles from
all over the body, followed by spraying of the appropriate
amount of sanitizer over the dirt-free body and clothes to kill
the germs and microbes. Most of the factories prohibit
carrying any kind of metal objects like keys, mobiles, rings,
etc. inside the working area. In case, a person unknowingly
takes any of his metal belongings along or possesses any
concealed metal weapons, the system aims at identifying those
metals and helps in keeping up with the security norms of the
site.
The internal surfaces might catch some infectious
microbes that somehow managed to escape the sanitization
process. Thus, the UV-C radiation is used for its germicidal
properties to kill them and keep the complete system hygienic.
The main objective of the system as a whole is to ensure
minimal contact during its functioning and provide workplace
automation. In case of manual operation of such systems, a
person needs to get continuously involved with all kinds of
people (febrile, afebrile or the asymptotic careers) and thus, be
at constant risk of getting infected himself. This can be
avoided using the automatic feature of the system which takes
care of almost all the processes in a planned, step-by-step
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approach, from detecting the arrival of a subject to its
departure, and carrying out all the intermediate steps in an
approximately specified time.
IV. WORKING
As the user approaches the frame of operation, the system
detects his presence using the ultrasonic sensor, which catches
the disturbances in sound waves due to the motion of the
subject inside the estimated range. The sensor is programmed
in such a way, that a red LED keeps blinking till no subject is
detected, and green LED blinks as soon as any motion or
presence is detected within the range of the thermal sensor.
Following the indication of the green LED, the temperature
sensor receives an enable signal and starts the process of
thermal scanning of the body. The read temperature is
digitally displayed, and simultaneously compared with a
previously set value. If the received input temperature is more
than the pre-set value, the user is instructed to exit the system,
as he is characterised as unhealthy to work. If, however, the
received input is less than the pre-set value, the person is
characterized as afebrile and further processes continue. For
the ring structure to be able to completely encircle the user, he
needs to stand accordingly at a specified position. The ring
gradually descends following a vertical linear motion, while
the air blowers activate and blow off the dismissible dust
particles from all over the body. Repeating the same motion
while ascending back up, the ring uses its inbuilt spray nozzles
to spray an appropriate amount of sanitizer over the clothes
and exposed body parts of the user. According to the
guidelines of the system, the user is advised to close his eyes
while the sanitisation process undergoes. The ring follows the
third step while it descends linearly to dry out the sanitizer
from the skin and clothes. And finally, it ascends linearly back
up to detect the presence of prohibited metal objects, which
further ensures the user isn’t carrying any metal, in the form
of his personal belongings or of any other use. As soon as any
metal is detected, the system produces a beeping sound, which
indicates the need for manual investigation. Once the ring
reaches back up without having to beep, the user is prompted
by the LCD indicating he is permitted into the workplace and
an automatic door opens for the same. This completes the
overall functioning of the system dedicated to the sanitization
of a human body. These step by step processes repeat for each
individual entry and exit, autonomously. When a specified
range of targeted subjects completes their sanitization, the
system requires to undergo a self-disinfecting process. This
process initiates when the ultrasonic sensor and PIR sensor
confirm the absence of human bodies in and around the
system, respectively so that it can be made sure that no living
body gets affected within the range of the UV-C radiation. In
case a human body is within the domain of the disinfection
area, the sensors detect its presence and indicate the
microcontroller, thereby terminating the disinfection
mechanism. In a word, the self-disinfection mechanism will
not start until and unless there is a complete vacancy in and
around the system.
 2020 2nd International Conference on Advances in Computing, Communication Control and Networking (ICACCCN)

V. BLOCK DIAGRAM

NO

NO TEMPERATURE Yes
LESS THAN SET
VALUE

Fig. 2. Complete Block Diagram of the Microcontroller-based System

VI. METHODOLOGY
NO
YES
Arduino mega 2560 is the central microcontroller unit
governing the whole system. It consists of 16 analog pins and
54 digital pins
A. Ultasonic Presence Detection
HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor is used to detect the
presence/absence of a subject inside the system. The sensor
module consists of 4 pins, among which the extreme ones are
connected to 5V power supply and ground. The remaining two
are Trigger and Echo, connected to the digital pins of the
microcontroller. The microcontroller sends out a signal to the
Trig pin which is transmitted in the form of sound waves,
through the transmitter. The waves, due to the presence of an
obstacle within 75 cm, get reflected back and received at the
receiver. The receiver sends the received signal back to the
microcontroller through the Echo pin. The microcontroller
computes the distance of the object from the sensor and thus,
Fig. 1. Flow Chart
its presence gets detected. As soon as it is confirmed that the
object is inside the cabinet, the microcontroller turns on the IR
sensor module.
B. Touch-less Temperature Detection
HMLX90614 infrared sensor is the temperature sensing
module being used. It consists of 4 pins, among which two are
built for power supply and ground. The remaining two,
namely SDA and SCL, connected to their respective pins of

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 2020 2nd International Conference on Advances in Computing, Communication Control and Networking (ICACCCN)
the microcontroller. Its working follows the basic principle of
black body radiation. Any object within the range of 2 - 5 cm
having comparatively higher temperature than the
surrounding tends to radiate IR radiation which is detected by
the sensor. The microcontroller converts the received data and
displays digitally on a 16*2 LCD, the numerical value of the
object temperature as well as the ambient temperature.
The Generic 0829U8OUTCY JCE 16 X 2 LCD consists of
16 pins, out of which 6 are connected to the microcontroller
and 2-each to the power supply and ground. A potentiometer
is connected to the VEE pin of the LCD module to control the
brightness of the screen. R/W pin is grounded.
The object temperature is compared with a pre-set value
(100ºF), by the microcontroller and a buzzer goes off in case
the object temperature is higher than the reference value.
Fig. 3. Ultrasonic Presence Detection and Touch-less Temperature
detection.
Fig. 4. Front View of Temperature and Presence detection panel
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C. Automatic Sanitisation
This process starts only when the object temperature
detected in the previous step is less than the pre-set value. Two
12V high-torque DC motors are used to control the vertical
linear motion of the ring, attached to the conveyor belts, at its
diametrically opposite ends. The two 1kW blowers are
operated by the microcontroller through 2-channel relays, as
the motor initiates the downward motion of the ring. When
the ring reaches the ground, the rotation of the motor is
reversed and the blowers stop, while the four inbuilt spray
nozzles get activated. The spray pressure of the sanitizer is
controlled by two diaphragm pumps placed on top of the ring
holder, which are further activated by the microcontroller and
the L293D motor driver module, as the ring ascends back up.
When the ring reaches the top, the spray nozzles deactivate
and the blower activates again which intends to dry out the
sanitizer from all over the body while the ring descends from
head to toe.
Fig. 5. Sanitisation Mechanism
Fig. 6. Front View of Sanitization Ring Structure.
D. Full-Body Metal Detection
The final step of the ring movement corresponds to the
metal detection process. As the ring starts moving back up, the
 2020 2nd International Conference on Advances in Computing, Communication Control and Networking (ICACCCN)
blowers stop. Current passes through the transmitter coil
rounded along the ring, producing a magnetic field which gets
deflected in the presence of a conducting object. This
deflection is traced by the microcontroller through analog pins
and a square pulse is sent to the beeper through digital pin. In
case, all goes well and no metal is detected, the user is enabled
to enter the workplace through an automatic sliding door
which is also controlled (opened and closed) by the
microcontroller unit.
Fig. 7. Metal Detection Circuit
Fig. 8. Front View of Metal Detector Arrangement
E. UltraViolet Disinfection
The UV disinfection process is used to disinfect the internal
surfaces of the system. It is based on the UVGI mechanism
which uses light at wavelength of 253.7 nm, capable of killing
germs. The microcontroller keeps a count of the number of
times the ultrasonic sensor detects presence of a person, and
activates the PIR sensor when the count reaches a set value
(say, 100). That is, after 100 people are detected, the PIR
sensor activates and triggers the UV lamp through
microcontroller and an n-p-n transistor (TIP120) as soon as no
presence is detected. The counter resets to 0. Meanwhile, an
LCD keeps a message displayed outside the entrance to let the
other users know that self-disinfection is going on, in order to
stop the next user from entering the system. The TIP120 n-p-
n transistor is specifically used to make the UV Lamp
compatible with microcontroller.
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Fig. 9. UV-C Disinfection Block Diagram
Fig. 10. Top view of UV Lamp arrangement
Fig. 11. Front view of PIR Sensor arrangement
VII. FUTURE SCOPE
The future of automation offers a wide range of research
domains. Our system comprises of temperature sensing
modules. The range of temperature sensor can be improved
with enhanced accuracy at affordable cost. Furthermore,
human identification can be done through image processing in
place of PIR sensor, to control the UV disinfection, and can
be further used for attendance monitoring of the workers. The
system is a collective assembly of five independent processes.
Those processes work one after the other co-dependently.
However, they can be made to be enabled or disabled as per
requirements, through separate switching. The sanitizers used
are sodium hypochlorite solution (200-300 ppm) or
benzalkonium chloride (30 ppm). Other medically advised
sanitisers can be researched and used, only after the
confirmation of no allergic reactions among the workers.
VIII. CONCLUSION
The multi-functional system is able to perform five
different operations in one go. The touch-less temperature
detection system is able to detect the arrival of a suspect and
effectively differentiate febrile human bodies from afebrile
ones. It is capable of performing thorough sanitisation from
head to the foot of the permissible bodies, along with blow
drying the dust particles and sanitizer from all over the body
and clothes, in different steps. The system also covers the
security screening purposes based on metal detection, and is
applicable in industrial sectors where carrying any metal
belongings is strictly prohibited. The self-disinfecting
module assists in keeping the system sanitized automatically
and thereby, fulfilling the aim of non-contact sanitisation.
Since all the processes are self-regulatory, the system
 2020 2nd International Conference on Advances in Computing, Communication Control and Networking (ICACCCN)

requires little–to–no maintenance. However, refilling of
sanitizer tank is a once in a while requirement.
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