Mobile Sensor Arrangement for Human Recognition in Smoke
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image evaluation systems struggle to reliably distinguish between pictures of persons belonging to a group and other humans or objects in smoky or smoke-filled environments, such as during firefighting operations, due to poor visibility and interference from smoke particles.
Innovation Solution
A mobile sensor arrangement comprising a camera, motion sensor, and transmitter group, where the camera generates image sequences, and a signal processing unit uses orientation signals and signal reception data to classify images and determine distances, enhancing the reliability of human recognition by combining visual and spatial data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If image evaluation is performed in smoke-filled environments, then human detection is possible, but reliability of distinguishing group members from other humans or objects deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the identification process into two independent parts: visual identification via camera and spatial identification via transmitters/receivers. The camera captures images while the receiver independently determines distances to transmitters worn by group members. By processing these segmented data sources separately and combining them, the system overcomes the limitation of smoke interference affecting visual recognition alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmitter acts as an intermediary carrier that enables reliable identification of group members without relying on visual clarity. Each group member wears a transmitter that emits a signal, and the receiver measures the distance to this signal source. This intermediary spatial information mediates between the camera's visual data and the final identification decision, allowing reliable distinction even when smoke obscures visual details.
2Measurement precision
If only visual data from camera is used, then system complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of human identification deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges two different types of data: visual information from the camera and spatial distance information from the transmitter-receiver system. The camera provides image data showing human figures, while the receiver provides precise distance measurements to transmitters worn by group members. By combining these two data streams, the system achieves high measurement precision in identifying which detected figures are actually group members, overcoming the limitations of using either system alone.
3Reliability
If distance determination is added to image evaluation, then reliability of group member identification is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The signal processing unit is designed with multi-functionality, handling both image evaluation from the camera and distance determination from the transmitter-receiver system. This universal processor integrates multiple functions (image analysis, signal processing, distance calculation, and combined evaluation) into a single device, thereby improving reliability of group member identification without proportionally increasing overall system complexity, as the same hardware performs multiple tasks.
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
The system significantly improves the reliability of identifying group members in challenging environments by using a combination of visual and spatial data, reducing erroneous recognition and enhancing safety protocols in rescue operations.
Implementation Method 1
The or each transmitter of the transmitter group is capable of generating and emitting (radiating) a signal, preferably by radio waves. The receiver is able to receive a respective signal from each transmitter of the transmitter group.
Data Source
AI summary
A process and an image evaluation system are provided with a mobile sensor arrangement, including a camera (IR), a motion sensor (IMU), and a receiver (Komm), that is moved through a spatial area. The camera generates an image sequence. The motion sensor generates an orientation signal with camera viewing direction in a predefined three-dimensional coordinate system when generating an image. A signal processing unit (Sv) checks whether the receiver is receiving a signal from a transmitter (UWB.1, UWB.2, UWB.3) of a transmitter group. If the receiver receives a signal, the signal processing unit determines the distance between the transmitter and the receiver. A classifier (Kl) searches for images of humans in images of the image sequence. The signal processing unit decides whether an image of a human shows a person associated with a transmitter of the transmitter group and may generate a trajectory describing the movement of the camera.