Infrared Open Flame Detection Using Multi-Frame Gray Scale Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting open flames in non-smoking areas suffer from low accuracy due to the inability to reliably distinguish features such as area, shape, and dynamics, leading to potential health and safety risks from smoking-related fires.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus utilizing a terminal equipped with a photographing apparatus, such as an infrared camera, to acquire and process frames of images, segment suspected targets, and analyze gray scale and attribute features to determine if a target is an open flame by comparing against predefined conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional image processing methods are used to detect open flames, then the detection process is simple, but the detection accuracy is low due to inability to reliably distinguish features

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoiddetection process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the image processing into multiple independent modules: gray scale feature extraction module, attribute feature extraction module, and combination judgment module. Each module processes specific features (gray scale, area, shape, dynamics) separately before integrating them for final detection, which improves accuracy while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from traditional single-dimension detection to multi-dimensional feature analysis by simultaneously evaluating gray scale characteristics, spatial attributes (area, shape), and temporal dynamics across multiple image frames. This dimensional expansion enables reliable distinction between open flames and other targets, significantly improving detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If multiple features (area, shape, dynamics) are analyzed to improve detection accuracy, then detection reliability improves, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary feature extraction and pre-judgment on each image frame before integrating with historical frames. By pre-processing gray scale and attribute features independently, the system reduces the computational burden during the combination judgment phase, thereby improving reliability without excessive time penalty

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent continuously accumulates and processes image frames in real-time, maintaining an ongoing analysis of feature changes over time. This continuous processing approach ensures that detection reliability improves through accumulated evidence while the system adapts processing intensity based on current detection needs, optimizing the time-reliability trade-off

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Accurately detects open flames by combining gray scale and attribute feature analysis, improving detection accuracy and enabling timely warning to prevent health and safety hazards.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing a terminal equipped with a photographing apparatus, such as an infrared camera

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3916619B1Open fire detection method and device, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 HANGZHOU HIKMICRO SENSING TECH CO LTD
  • EP3916619B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3916619B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3916619B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

A method and apparatus for detecting an open flame, and a storage medium belong to the field of safety protection. The method includes: acquiring a plurality of frames of first images (21) of a suspected target in a monitoring region; acquiring, based on the plurality of frames of first images, gray scale change features of the plurality of frames of first images and attribute features of the suspected target, the gray scale change features being configured to indicate temperature changes (22) of the suspected target; and determining that the suspected target in the monitoring region is an open flame (23) if the gray scale change features of the plurality of frames of first images and the attribute features of the suspected target both satisfy an open flame condition. The method can be used to accurately detect whether there is an open flame in the monitoring region.