Design and implementation of an embedded monitor system for detection of a patient's breath by double Webcams in the dark

Abstract

In this paper we use both an embedded system and double Webcams to design an embedded monitor system for breath detection (EMSFBD) which monitors and records the patient's breath in the dark and sends the information to a specific server through the Internet. Our design uses image processing methods to monitor and record human breath fluctuation and to calculate the breath rate. If the breath rate is too low, too fast or if an individual's breathing stops for more than 10 seconds, our design sends out an alarm signal. Our EMSFBD consists of two parts. For the first part double Webcams are used to capture images and to transmit them to an embedded board. For the second part an image processing program using a temporal differencing algorithm to detect chest expansion and contraction to determine the breath rate is installed in the embedded board.