Flame Source Localization from Image Coordinate Variation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flame detection systems fail to accurately pinpoint the location of a flame source within a field of view, making it difficult to identify where a fire is located when an alarm is triggered.
Innovation Solution
A flame detection system comprising at least one flame detector configured to generate a data corresponding to detect a flame within a field of view (FoV). The flame detection system comprises at least one image capturing device operationally coupled to the at least one flame detector, wherein the at least one image capturing device is configured to capture a sequence of images of the flame within the FoV. The plurality of pixels of each image of the sequence of images are associated with the flame within the FoV. The flame detection system further comprises one or more processors communicatively coupled to the at least one flame detector and the at least one image capturing device. The one or more processors are configured to identify a location of the flame within the FoV by determining a base Y-coordinate, a tip Y-coordinate, a left-most X-coordinate, and a right-most X-coordinate of the plurality of pixels associated with the flame within the FoV for each of the sequence of images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing flame detectors are used to detect flame presence, then flame detection capability is provided, but the exact location of the flame source cannot be pinpointed
Solution Approach 1:
An image capturing device is introduced as an intermediary component between the flame detector and the processing system. This device captures visual information of the flame within the field of view, providing spatial coordinates that serve as a mediator to bridge the gap between flame detection and location identification. The image data acts as an intermediary that contains the missing spatial information about flame position.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from one-dimensional flame detection (presence/absence) to two-dimensional location identification by incorporating image capturing. The image data provides X and Y coordinates, adding spatial dimensions to the detection output. This dimensional expansion allows the system to not only detect flame presence but also determine its precise location within the field of view.
2Measurement precision
If image capturing device is added to capture flame images, then flame location information is obtained, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image capturing device serves multiple functions: it captures flame location information, provides visual documentation for verification, and enables both flame presence detection and location identification through a single component. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and minimizes overall system complexity while achieving the desired measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the image capturing device to automatically determine flame location through coordinate extraction from captured images. The processing system automatically analyzes the image data to identify flame position, eliminating the need for manual location assessment. This self-service capability reduces operational complexity and enables automated fire location identification.
3Measurement precision
If coordinate analysis is performed on image pixels to identify flame location, then accurate flame positioning is achieved, but processing time and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential information needed for flame location identification from the captured images, specifically the coordinates of pixels associated with the flame. Rather than processing the entire image data, the system isolates and analyzes only the relevant flame-related pixels, significantly reducing computational requirements and processing time while maintaining accurate flame positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial analysis by focusing only on the specific pixels that contain flame information rather than processing the entire image. This selective approach analyzes only the necessary portion of the data (flame-associated pixels) to determine location, reducing overall processing time and computational load while achieving sufficient precision for fire location identification.
Data Source
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AI summary
A flame detection system is disclosed. The flame detection system comprises one or more processors coupled to at least one flame detector and at least one image capturing device. The one or more processors identify a location of a flame by determining a base Y-coordinate, a tip Y-coordinate, a left-most X-coordinate, and a right-most X-coordinate of the plurality of pixels associated with the flame; determining that the base Y-coordinate of a most current image of the sequence of images varies less than a predefined limit of height of the flame; and determining that the tip Y-coordinate of the most current image of the sequence of images varies more than the predefined limit of height of the flame, or the left-most X-coordinate or the right-most X coordinate of the most current image of the sequence of images varies more than a predefined limit of width of the flame.