Optical Gas Imaging Motion Isolation for Clearer Plume Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Detecting gas plumes, particularly methane, is challenging due to their odorless and colorless nature, making them difficult to visualize in still images, especially when camera movement complicates the distinction between background and plume motion.
Innovation Solution
An optical gas imaging (OGI) camera captures multiple images, processes them to determine dominant motion, applies color based on motion direction and velocity, and subtracts camera-related motion to isolate and accentuate gas plume motion, generating a clear output image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple images are captured and processed to distinguish gas plume motion from camera movement, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image processing is segmented into distinct functional modules: motion detection module that identifies moving pixels, dominant motion determination module that calculates overall camera movement, and gas plume isolation module that subtracts camera motion from detected motion. This segmentation allows complex processing to be broken down into manageable, specialized components that can be implemented efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing step that captures the dominant motion pattern across all pixels as a representation of camera movement. This intermediary model serves as a mediator between the raw multi-image data and the final gas plume detection, allowing the system to separate camera-induced motion from actual gas plume motion through subtraction.
2Illumination intensity
If color is applied to each pixel based on motion direction and velocity, then gas plume visibility is enhanced, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color coding to pixels based on their motion characteristics: the direction of movement and velocity magnitude. Gas plume pixels are colored differently from background pixels according to their motion vectors, creating a visually distinct representation that enhances visibility. This color-based encoding transforms subtle motion differences into easily distinguishable visual patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than processing every single pixel attribute in full detail, the system focuses computational resources on pixels that exhibit motion characteristics consistent with gas plumes. By applying color encoding selectively to motion-detected pixels and using simplified motion characterization, the system achieves enhanced visibility without requiring exhaustive processing of all image data.
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
This method effectively isolates and highlights gas plumes by distinguishing their motion from background and camera movement, enhancing detection accuracy and visibility.
Implementation Method 1
The OGI camera may be tuned to specific wavelengths in the infra-red (IR)
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods including: an optical gas imaging (OGI) camera; a processor in communication with the OGI camera, the processor configured to: capture at least two images of a scene with the camera; compare the captured at least two images to determine at least one of: a motion associated with a movement of the camera and a motion associated with a movement of a gas plume; apply a color to each pixel of the captured images based on at least one of: a direction of movement and a velocity of movement between the at least two captured images; subtract pixels from the colored pixels associated with the movement of the camera; and generate an image of an output of a gas plume based on the subtracted pixels and the applied color pixels.