Method for determining state of cremation of human or animal carcass, system for monitoring state of cremation of human or animal carcass, and cremation installation comprising such monitoring system

Abstract

The invention relates to a computer-implemented method (10) for determining a cremation state of a human or animal carcass (O) during a cremation process carried out by means of a cremation installation. The method (10) comprises the following sequential steps: a) acquiring a plurality of digital images () during an acquisition window (), all of which are related to the same view of the aforementioned carcass (O) at different moments in time of the cremation process; b) inferring, from the plurality of images (), a plurality of flame values () relating to the evolution over time of the area affected by the flame during the acquisition window (); c) performing a regression (R) of the plurality of flame values () over time in order to infer a state function (s) representing an approximation of the state of cremation during the acquisition window () and representing an estimate of the state of cremation at each time after the acquisition window ().

Description

[0001] manual

[0002] The present invention relates to a computer-implemented method for determining the cremation state of a human or animal carcass during cremation in a cremation process carried out by means of a cremation facility.

[0003] A system for monitoring the cremation status of human or animal carcasses is also part of this invention.

[0004] The present invention also relates to cremation facilities that include such a monitoring system.

[0005] Currently, methods for determining the cremation status of human or animal carcasses during the cremation process are known.

[0006] This known method involves an operator observing the cremation process to determine the state of the cremation of the body over time and to determine the point at which the cremation process ends.

[0007] However, despite its known and popular nature, this approach has some significant limitations.

[0008] In particular, the determination of cremation status using this known method is not very precise and is easily affected by human error by the operator.

[0009] Therefore, it is difficult to determine the termination point that minimizes the duration of the cremation process, which coincides with the cremation state required to end the cremation process.

[0010] Another disadvantage is that this known-type method does not allow for estimation of the future cremation state, but only the cremation state can be estimated while the operator observes the cremation process.

[0011] The objective of this invention is to develop a method that can eliminate the aforementioned disadvantages and limitations of the prior art.

[0012] In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a method that can determine the cremation status of a human or animal carcass during the cremation process more accurately than similar methods of known types.

[0013] Furthermore, the purpose of this invention is to develop a method capable of estimating the future cremation state of human or animal carcasses during the cremation process.

[0014] The above-mentioned tasks and objectives are achieved by the method according to claim 1.

[0015] Further features of the method according to claim 1 are described in the dependent claims.

[0016] The description of embodiments of the invention, given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, highlights the objectives and foregoing properties, as well as the advantages which will be mentioned below.

[0017] - Figure 1 A flowchart illustrating the method for the purpose of this invention;

[0018] - Figure 2 This refers to an image acquired according to the method for the purpose of this invention;

[0019] - Figure 3 Indicates to Figure 2 Image processing;

[0020] - Figure 4 A diagram relating to the method for the purpose of this invention;

[0021] - Figure 5 The diagram illustrates the monitoring system according to the present invention.

[0022] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the method according to the invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.

[0023] Method 10 is implemented by means of a computer and is adapted to determine the cremation state of a human body O during a cremation process carried out by means of a cremation facility.

[0024] However, it cannot be ruled out that method 10 can be used to determine the cremation state of animal carcass O.

[0025] Method 10 includes the following sequential steps:

[0026] In the acquisition window Multiple digital images were acquired during the period. This acquires multiple digital images. All of these relate to the same view of the aforementioned corpse O at different moments during the cremation process, wherein the acquisition window... exist Figure 4 The horizontal axis in the chart is clearly shown; Figure 2 and 3 The multiple images are shown in the figure. One of the images, wherein the image is related to the pelvic region of the cadaver O; in addition, with the acquisition window Multiple images are acquired at regular intervals. However, the possibility of multiple images cannot be ruled out. Related to different regions of the corpse O, and with the acquisition window Data is collected at irregular intervals;

[0027] b) From multiple images Multiple flame values ​​were deduced. ,exist Figure 4 The graph uses the vertical axis to represent the data, which is related to the data acquisition window. The area affected by the flames during this period is related to the evolution over time; in this embodiment of the invention, from the plurality of images For each image in the dataset, the multiple flame values ​​are inferred using a flame detection algorithm. A single value; however, multiple flame values ​​are not excluded. At least one value is obtained from the aforementioned multiple images by means of an object tracking algorithm and / or by applying a specific filtering algorithm. Inferred from the comparison of at least one consecutive pair of images;

[0028] c) Perform operations on multiple flame values Regression R over time, such as Figure 4 The graphs observed in the data are used to infer the state function s, which represents the state in the acquisition window. The approximate value of the aforementioned cremation state during the period, and also indicates the time frame during the acquisition window. The estimated cremation state at each subsequent time point; in this embodiment of the invention, the regression R is linear, and therefore the state function s is a straight line.

[0029] It is important to emphasize that, in cremation facilities, the degree of impact of the flames on the body during the cremation process is an indicator of the body's cremation status.

[0030] Therefore, this method 10 is advantageously able to determine the cremation status of human or animal carcasses more accurately during the cremation process than similar methods of known types, which rely solely on the operator's observation of the process and are therefore susceptible to human error by the operator.

[0031] Furthermore, it is also advantageous that method 10 allows for multiple flame values. The regression R over time is used to estimate the future cremation status of human or animal carcasses during the cremation process.

[0032] In this embodiment of the invention, method 10 includes the following steps after step c):

[0033] d) Determine the termination time of the cremation process. ,exist Figure 4 The text clearly shows that this moment corresponds to the state function s being lower than or equal to a preset first threshold. The time at which the value is determined; more precisely, in the embodiments described herein, this termination time. This corresponds to the first time that the state function s is lower than or equal to the aforementioned first threshold. The moment when the value is reached.

[0034] It should be emphasized that step d) just described advantageously allows for the determination of a termination time that minimizes the time of the cremation process and is consistent with the cremation state required at the end of the cremation process.

[0035] Following step d), method 10 still includes the following sequential steps:

[0036] e) at the termination time Then acquire at least one additional digital image. .

[0037] f) From the at least one other image A bone mass value B is inferred that is related to the area affected by bone mass. More specifically, in this embodiment of the invention, the bone mass value B is related to pelvic bone mass, but it is not excluded that different bone structures can be considered to determine the bone mass value B;

[0038] g) Check whether the bone mass value B is lower than or equal to the second threshold. .

[0039] -If so, confirm the termination of the cremation process;

[0040] - If not, repeat steps e), f), and g in sequence.

[0041] It should be emphasized that, in the case of cremation facilities, the amount of residual bone present in the body during the cremation process is another indicator of the cremation status of the body.

[0042] Therefore, when the aforementioned bone mass value B is lower than or equal to this second threshold At that time, steps e), f), and g) advantageously allow for confirmation of the termination of the cremation process.

[0043] Furthermore, according to method 10 of this embodiment, at the aforementioned termination time... The cremation process is then interrupted, and again when the termination check has been successfully completed.

[0044] As previously stated, the system 100 for monitoring the cremation status of human or animal carcasses O remains part of this invention.

[0045] The monitoring system 100 includes Figure 5 The computer E shown in the diagram is configured to perform the above method 10.

[0046] Furthermore, this monitoring system 100 includes a data acquisition device C, which is configured to acquire multiple images. and at least one of the aforementioned additional images .

[0047] In the current embodiment of the present invention, these acquisition devices C include Figure 5 The camera is shown schematically in the image.

[0048] It is also possible that such an acquisition device C includes one or more filters, which are used to improve the aforementioned multiple images. and at least one of the aforementioned additional images The data collection is consistent with the specific requirements of this monitoring system 100.

[0049] In addition, in order to improve the alignment of the aforementioned acquisition device C with respect to the corpse O, the use of a light source that emits at least one beam of light in the area defined by the acquisition device C is not excluded.

[0050] exist Figure 5 The cremation facility P, which is clearly visible in its entirety and includes the monitoring system 100 just described, is also part of this invention.

[0051] In fact, it has been determined that the present invention has achieved the intended tasks and objectives.

[0052] In particular, the present invention provides a method that can determine the cremation status of a human or animal carcass during the cremation process more accurately than similar methods of known types.

[0053] In addition, a method has been developed that can estimate the future cremation status of human or animal carcasses during the cremation process.

[0054] The present invention, conceived in this way, is easy to modify and vary in many ways, all of which are within the scope of the concept of the present invention; furthermore, all the details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

[0055] In practice, the components and materials used, as well as their size and possible shape, can be arbitrary, depending on requirements and existing technology, provided they are compatible with the specific application.

[0056] If any feature or technique mentioned in any claim is followed by a reference numeral, the sole purpose of which is to increase the comprehensibility of the claim; therefore, these reference numerals do not limit the interpretation of each element identified by these reference numerals by way of example.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method (10) for determining the cremation state of a human or animal carcass (O) during a cremation process performed by means of a cremation facility, characterized in that, The method includes the following sequential steps: a) In the data collection window ( Multiple digital images were acquired during the process. The multiple digital images are all related to the same view of the body (O) at different times during the cremation process; b) From the plurality of images ( Inference and in the acquisition window ( During the period, the area affected by the fire evolved over time, and multiple fire values ​​( From the multiple images In each image, the multiple flame values ​​are inferred using a flame detection algorithm. A single value, or the multiple flame values At least one value is obtained from the plurality of images by means of an object tracking algorithm or by applying a specific filtering algorithm. Inferred from the comparison of at least one consecutive pair of images; c) Perform the operation on the multiple flame values ​​( The regression (R) over time is used to infer the state function (s), which is represented in the acquisition window ( The approximate value of the cremation state during the acquisition window () The estimated value of the cremation state at each subsequent time point.

2. The method (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The regression (R) is linear.

3. The method (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method includes the following steps after step c): d) Determine the termination time of the cremation process. The termination time corresponds to the state function (s) being lower than or equal to a preset first threshold. The moment when the value of ) is reached.

4. The method (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The termination time ( The state function (s) first appears to be lower than or equal to the first threshold. The moment when the value of ) is reached.

5. The method (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The method at the termination time ( The cremation process is then interrupted.

6. The method (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The method includes the following sequential steps following step d): e) at the termination time ( After that, at least one other digital image was acquired. ); f) From the at least one other image ( The bone mass value (B) associated with the region affected by bone mass was inferred. g) Check whether the bone mass value (B) is lower than or equal to the second threshold ( ): -If so, then confirm the termination of the cremation process; -If not, repeat steps e), f), and g in sequence.

7. The method (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that, When the termination check has been successful, the method interrupts the cremation process.

8. The method (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The multiple flame values ​​( At least one value in the plurality of images is obtained by means of an object tracking algorithm from the plurality of images. Inferred from the comparison of at least one consecutive image pair in ).

9. A system for monitoring the cremation status of (100) human or animal carcasses (O), characterized in that, The system includes a computer (E) configured to perform the method (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, and the monitoring system (100) includes a component configured to acquire at least the plurality of images. The data acquisition device (C) of ) 10. A cremation facility (P), characterized in that, The cremation facility includes the monitoring system (100) according to claim 9.

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