Unique Identification for Monitoring of COVID-19

Using the Internet of Things (IoT)

Ankur Utsav1, Amit Abhishek2, Kamal Kant3 Ritesh Kr.Badhai4

1,2,3Department of Electronics and Communication

Birla Institute of Technology, Patna Campus - 800014, India

1
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Abstract— In this paper, a unique identification system is 82,591 new cases of COVID-19 worldwide were being
proposed for monitoring the most recently discovered confirmed daily and the death rate was over 4200 per day
coronavirus (COVID-19). This infectious disease took a large [6]. The phylogenetic analysis defines that SARS-CoV-2
number of lives in a different country. This proposed system generated in animals, probably bats, and was transmitted to
can monitor the users from COVID-19 by using the Internet of
other animals before crossing into humans at Wuhan City [7]
Things(IoT). A system is designed where thermal scanning of
the human body by a sensor and daily the record of the same [8]. With the increase in the number of COVID19 cases
user is being stored in the database. For identification of each along with the globe, the major concern is identifying those
user, there is a development of QR code which is a one-time individuals infected from the virus. Since now not any
generation process. If a person having a normal GSM phone concrete symptoms have been recognized which confirm the
then there will be a unique identification number is generated COVID infection inside the body we are only left with
and shared with the operator who registers them to the system thermal monitoring and assessment of early symptoms of a
so that they can also take benefits. If any person or user having viral infection inside the body. The symptoms recognized by
some symptoms and while scanning via a thermal scanner if the WHO are in the following Table 1. With the emerging
their body temperature will be 100F or more then a pop-up
number of COVID19 cases along the globe causing loss of
message will generate and via the audio system will ask him or
she is suffering from fever, shore throat, and difficulty in life of around 6 lakh people. The devices used for
breathing. If a person having all these symptoms then our monitoring temperature now a day are non-contact
system will send a message to their mobile for consulting the thermometer. But unfortunately while screening infected
doctor or for a test. Our proposed system is untouched and various cases have been reported where it gets transmitted
operates automatically. that individual.
Keywords— Thermal scanning, COVID-19, Monitoring, IoT. TABLE I. Symptoms of COVID-19 [1]

Most Common Symptoms

I. INTRODUCTION Fever 87.9%
Dry Cough 67.7%
Fatigue 38.1%
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a novel infectious Sputum Production 33.4%
disease and most people who get infected with this virus will Less Common Symptoms
Shortness of Breath 18.6%
encounter mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover
Myalgia/Arthralgia 14.8%
without requiring special treatment. Older people and those Sore Throat 13.9%
with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular Headache 13.6%
disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are Chills 11.4%
more likely to develop serious illnesses [1]. This disease Rare Symptoms
having multiple symptoms for identification and people gets Nausea 5.0%
Nasal Congestion 4.8%
confused about whether they are suffering from this disease Diarrhea 3.7%
or not. WHO ensures about the symptoms and on that basis Hemoptysis (Coughing up blood) 0.9%
we can identify this disease. Coronavirus disease is now Conjunctival Congestion 0.8%
affecting the lives of everybody and its history is varying all
the time. On 31 December 2019, the World Health
Organization (WHO) was formally notified about a cluster In this paper, we propose a monitoring system for COVID-
of cases of pneumonia in Wuhan City, home to 11 million 19 which is applicable at multiple zones such as Railway
people, and the cultural and economic hub of central China. station, Airport, Hospitals, Schools, Colleges, Residential
By 5 January, 59 cases were known and none had been fatal premises, Offices, Shopping mall, and so on. The one
[2][3]. Ten days later, WHO was aware of 282 confirmed reason behind increasing this number of CORONA infected
cases, of which four were in Japan, South Korea, and people and death trolls is the irregular monitoring of the
Thailand [4]. There had been six deaths in Wuhan, 51 people person infected from this virus. This may be overcome by
were severely ill and 12 were in a critical condition. The implementing a device that can provide the unique
virus responsible was isolated on 7 January and its genome identification to every person which can be used to create a
shared on 12 January [5]. The cause of the severe acute database of the various parameters related to the early
respiratory syndrome that became known as COVID-19 was symptoms of this virus. We are providing a QR (Quick
a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. The rest is history, albeit Response) code identification technique to create a database
a history that is constantly being rewritten: as of 12 May, of various users with or without having access to

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smartphones. The camera will scan the QR code of the IR obstacle sensor and IR thermal sensor. This system
individual and simultaneously the thermal sensor will assess module is operated by IoT and this raspberry pie plays an
their temperature and update it to the database associated important role. The data is transmitted and received via
with that person. As the most common symptoms were fever GSM module and the generation of QR code for smartphone
(43.8% on admission and 88.7% during hospitalization) and and UID code for a non-smartphone is done by IoT. The
cough (67.8%). The median incubation period was 4 days whole operation is controlled by the raspberry pie. The
(interquartile range, 2 to 7). component description with their usage is described in Table
II.
II. SYSTEM MODEL TABLE II. COMPONENT DESCRIPTION
Coronavirus disease is growing at a high rate in India as well Equipment Details Description Usage
as in different countries. The government is taking the Thermal sensor- Non-contact thermal For thermal
number of steps by forming a contaminated zone, MLX90614 infrared sensor with high scanning
distributing states in the red zone, orange zone, and green sensitivity
IR obstacle sensor- IR sensor works at 3.3V To take input
based on the number of the infected person. Also, impose
TCRT500L to 5V. response by the
locked down in whole countries for many days. The growth users.
of the economy stuck at some point due to the locked down. Camera Shield Resolution is 424×3136, To scan the QR code
When the process of unlocking begins many people restart Lens is stock lens and and taking a snap of
their jobs and for this, they have to move from one place to camera interface with 2 the individuals
lane MPI
another. In these pandemic situations, people cannot Raspberry Pi Capacitive 800×480 touch To feed the details
understand whether they affected by the virus or not. By screen screen portable of the individual not
looking at the current situation of COVID-19 we design a having a smartphone
model for monitoring the users daily. Our system composed Raspberry Pi Single-board computers, To automate the
ARM cortex, CPU: entire process of
of a thermal sensor which is used for sensing the body 1.5GHz 64/32 bit quad- monitoring
temperature of human or users. High zoomed camera for core.
recognizing the human by scanning the QR code. LED
screen for showing the measured result of temperature or if
the temperature reaches the threshold value or more, then a
recorded voice message will be delivered by using the
III. WORKING OF PROPOSED SYSTEM
speaker. If any symptom occurs and if the user raises their
hand the proximity sensor will identify the movement of Mainly our designed system works on three conditions and
arms and a message will blink on the screen for check-up or these conditions are defined based on the users having a
test of COVID-19. The proposed system is shown in fig.1. smartphone or not. We describe each condition based on the
working principle with block diagrams. If we discuss our
first condition in which users having a smartphone. In this
condition, the prototype has a camera and it captures the
image of the person at the range of 1 meter and by using
open source QR code will generate. While generating QR
code person must fill the data about himself like his name,
age, contact number, and gender. That QR code is displayed
on the screen of the prototype and the same QR code is sent
to the user's mobile phone.

Fig.1. A prototype of the proposed module

The designed module consists of multiple hardware

components and its internal circuitry is shown in fig.2. The
use of raspberry pie is for operating multiple sensors such as

Fig.3. Block diagram with the smartphone

The QR code is stored in the database through the IoT, it

means every person having unique identification on which
their data will process and monitored accordingly. After that,
Fig.2. Internal Circuitry of the system

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a sound is generated by buzzer which shows the indication and not facing any symptom then he can also be notified via
for thermal scanning. Then the person will move forward SMS and regarding this whole information is saved in the
towards the IR sensor for temperature measurement and their database. The location of thermal scanning is also updated
data will be stored in the database through the IoT. There is and recorded in the database through a GPS module. Like if
also an inbuilt GPS module for getting the user's current he went to the mall and proceed for thermal scanning his
location and being updated for determining the QR code data will be updated with his current location body
generation's location. Then the same process will repeat for temperature at a particular location is updated, if he moves
another person. The block diagram of this operation is to another location and again he proceeds for thermal
shown in fig. 3. If a person or user does not have the scanning his location will update with his body temperature.
smartphone then the way of operation has been changed This process is only applicable to the users having a
according to the defined condition. In this case, if a user is smartphone. Those who not having smartphones will not be
not equipped with a smartphone and carrying a simple GSM able to get an update about their current location. Their
phone then the mode of QR code generation will change location is fixed and defined only at the time of generation
only. A Unique Identity (UID) number is generated through of QR code, if they can update their QR code from the
the IoT and being stored at the database manually for the control unit in the case of loss of their QR code or having
first time also and a unique identification number is any reason then their location is identified by the control
generated and by SMS it will send to the user's phone by unit. The schematic operation for this condition is shown in
using GSM module. By using UID number he will get a fig.5.
print of QR code. They can use it and move for thermal
scanning and respective temperature data will store in the
database. In QR code the location of the generation of QR
code is also mentioned and the same process will repeat for
the next user. If a user is unable to get UID number based on
his or her mobile number a QR code will generate and they
collect it from the nearest control unit. In case he lost the
print of QR code then they can also obtain the same QR code
from any control unit by using their UID code or mobile
number. The block diagram is shown in fig.4.

Fig.5. Block diagram for identification of COVID-19

The whole operation is observed and monitored via the

Internet of Things, by using the IoT we design a network in
which we can easily connect with each user via smartphone
or nonsmart phone. COVID-19 is still growing at a fast rate
and due to this, the people are unidentified from this
infectious disease. To overcome the situation our prototype
device may able to identify the symptoms of the corona.
Fig.4. Users with the non-smartphone
IV. FLOWCHART
Now in another case, we discuss how our system will find
the person having symptoms or not. We put some condition
In this section we discuss how our prototype works, we can
if body temperature rises then in this condition how our
implement it in any zone such as school. So on assuming on
system works. This case is defined after the thermal
this condition we define the whole process of our proposed
scanning if the user's temperature value is equal to or greater
system. If we consider a college then we categories the users
than 100° F. Then the details of the user with QR code are
in different sections such as students, professors, academic
displayed on the screen and three questions will be asked
staff, and non-academic staff, and accordingly we implement
after a warning buzzer. These questions will be asked via a
the devices for better response and safety. If any user will
recorded voice through a speaker and a person has to raise
move towards the system the camera will capture the image
their hand if "YES". If “NO” then they don't have to raise a
and ask him to fill the basic details such as Name, Age,
hand. By proximity sensor, the movement of hand will be
Gender, and Mobile number. After this, a QR code is
recognized and if any symptom of a user is in YES format
generated and sends it to the user's phone with the current
then an SMS is received for the alert. If he has temperature

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location. This QR code is valid for 1 month and it will but in worldwide. We are now in lockdown but when the
reissue after filling the details again. All the data is being lockdown will be removed then we have to manage
stored in the database and for security reasons at every ourselves with the Coronavirus. In context with a fight
month data of users must be updated. After getting the QR against corona, we must need a systematic, advanced
code whenever they move through the system has to show monitoring and surveillance system. Our proposed idea
the QR code so that the machine can identify easily and then completely fits that we are going for thermal scanning as the
buzzer sound will come from the system which notices them temperature is the only common symptom for most of the
put their forehead in front of the IR thermal sensor for COVID-19 cases worldwide that why we opted for
thermal scanning. If the user body's temperature is less than thermal scanning as our main attribute. As discussed in the
100F, then that data is updated to the user's database and working principle section we are using an IR sensor for
correspondingly daily, this system works. If the user body's thermal scanning and creating a unique QR code. These
temperature moves beyond the threshold value then their generated codes exist lifetime and we can have their basic
buzzer again sounds three times and asks him to move for information like Name, Age, Mobile number, etc, so that in
self-assessment. While processing the assessment the future we can trace him/her if anything goes wrong. Our
proposed module is equipped or programmed with the audio proposed system is having a pre-recorded voice questions
message and it will ask about the symptoms of COVID-19 which come in a picture once a person is having a higher
and users have to raise their hand if he is facing the said temperature value. These questions will enhance the
difficulties. Based on the movement of arm proximity sensor accuracy of the prediction and we can ask him/her to go for
will sense and on that basis a programmed message will be self-quarantine and if the things do not change we will
generated and it will reflect on the screen as well as send to suggest him/her to go for further medication. By this, we can
the user's phone also and inform them to consult a doctor. find a suspected person and we can break the chain. As
Accordingly, all the data is being stored in the user's mentioned earlier we are providing the unique code so we
database by using the Internet of things. The schematic can trace out the places where that person visited a few days
representation of the flowchart is shown in fig.6. before and we can lock and sanitize that places once the case
is confirmed. In this way, our proposed system will be
directly useful to the mass of the people. We are providing
QR code for not only Smartphone users but also for non-
Smartphone users so that this system can be applicable for
every common person. We can connect this monitoring
system at colleges, schools, Shopping malls, railway
stations, bus stand, Offices, banks, etc and as our system is
having IoT connection we can have a strong database for the
future better prediction using machine learning, AI or big
data analysis. We think this system will be a huge success as
no such monitoring system with IoT and QR code generator
is existing to date. Its easily operate, it is cost-effective, its
having small and compact size, it is using Raspberry-pi so in
future we can add many more features in it. We can have a
huge database same as Aarogya Setu Application and we can
compare and share our data for more accurate and precise
prediction system generation to fight against COVID-19.

FUTURE WORK

Covid-19 is increasing at a high rate and to detect this

disease some other parameters come into the picture. Firstly
there was a symptom of body temperature, sore throat, and
difficulties in breathing which are major symptoms, and
considering breathing issues there must be the detection of
oxygen level in human beings. Many people lose their life
just because of improper treatment and lack of proper
Fig.6 Schematic representation system’s working knowledge. In many hospitals, medical staff s are also
unable to identify the symptoms properly. In our system, we
CONCLUSION try to put an oxygen level detection system so that the data
of oxygen level will be identified and regularly it will be
We are proposing a new, novel, innovative, and smart monitored. The database of a user having some symptoms
microcontroller based temperature monitoring system idea are also provided to the nearest health center so that they
with the generation of unique QR codes. As we all familiar could also reach for the test of the corona. Many people do
with the fact that Covid-19 is not only an epidemic in India not understand how it is dangerous. They don’t visit to
doctor when they were suffering from minor symptoms.

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 [8] V. Chamola, V. Hassija, V. Gupta and M. Guizani, "A
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