Aerial Imagery Fluid Leak Detection via Shadow Contiguity Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Detecting fluid leaks in aerial imagery is challenging due to the difficulty in distinguishing between shadows and leaks, especially in high-resolution images, which can lead to undetected leaks resulting in wasted resources and potential structural issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize aerial imagery analysis to identify and distinguish fluid leaks from objects and shadows by determining contiguous areas extending beyond shadow areas, employing image analysis and machine learning to accurately identify and quantify leak severity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aerial imagery is used to detect fluid leaks, then leak detection capability is improved, but difficulty in distinguishing leaks from shadows increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of shadow areas in the aerial image before identifying fluid leaks. By pre-segmenting shadow regions and using them as reference, the system establishes a baseline for comparison, making it easier to distinguish actual leaks from shadow artifacts during the subsequent analysis stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The image analysis process is divided into distinct segments: shadow area identification, contiguous area detection, and leak identification. This segmentation allows each stage to focus on specific characteristics, improving the overall accuracy of leak detection by breaking down the complex task into manageable, specialized processing steps.
2Productivity
If automated image analysis is used to identify fluid leaks, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision may worsen due to difficulty in distinguishing leaks from shadows
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system performs preliminary shadow mapping and area calculation before leak identification, establishing reference data that guides subsequent automated analysis. This preliminary processing enables the automated system to operate more accurately by providing contextual information about expected shadow patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the identified shadow areas as feedback reference during the leak identification process. By comparing detected dark areas against the pre-identified shadow regions, the system continuously refines its leak detection accuracy, allowing automated processing to maintain high precision while achieving improved productivity.
3Measurement precision
If contiguous areas extending beyond shadow areas are used to identify leaks, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex image analysis is segmented into distinct processing stages: shadow identification, contiguous area detection, and leak confirmation. Each segment handles a specific aspect of the analysis, reducing the complexity of individual processing steps while maintaining overall measurement precision through the coordinated sequence of operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calculations of shadow area boundaries and contiguous region extensions before final leak identification. By pre-computing these geometric relationships, the system simplifies the subsequent leak detection process while ensuring high measurement precision through accurate spatial analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for using aerial imagery to identify and distinguish fluid leaks from objects, structures, and shadows in aerial imagery. A method may include: receiving an aerial image of a geographic region; identifying objects within the aerial image; determining shadow areas associated with the objects within the aerial image; determining whether areas exist contiguous with the shadow areas and extending beyond the shadow areas; identifying one or more fluid leaks in response to areas existing contiguous with the shadow areas and extending beyond the shadow areas; and generating an indication of the one or more fluid leaks including one or more locations of the one or more fluid leaks.