Smoke Detection Using Contrast Pattern Deviation Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smoke detection systems face challenges in accurately distinguishing between actual smoke and deception variables, such as changing lighting conditions or moving objects, which can lead to false alarms, especially in environments where smoke accumulation behavior is not clearly defined.
Innovation Solution
A smoke detection apparatus utilizing a monitoring camera and an evaluation device that analyzes contrast patterns between upper and lower sections of a stationary contrast pattern object within the monitoring area, determining contrast deviations and approaches to reliably detect smoke by quantifying changes in brightness and color differences over time, thereby reducing false alarms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If smoke detection is performed using a monitoring camera and contrast analysis, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring area is divided into multiple height levels (upper, middle, lower sections) with contrast pattern objects placed at each level. This segmentation allows the system to analyze smoke accumulation behavior at different heights, improving detection reliability by capturing the characteristic upward movement and accumulation of smoke while keeping the evaluation methodology systematic and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
Contrast pattern objects are pre-positioned at specific locations and heights within the monitoring area before smoke detection begins. These patterns serve as reference elements that enable the evaluation device to detect smoke by measuring changes in contrast values over time, eliminating the need for complex real-time smoke particle analysis and simplifying the detection process.
2Measurement precision
If contrast pattern objects are used to detect smoke accumulation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes contrast pattern objects with distinct brightness differences (light and dark patterns) that create measurable contrast variations when viewed by the monitoring camera. Smoke accumulation changes the optical properties of air, causing measurable changes in the contrast values of these patterns. This approach provides precise quantitative measurement of smoke density and accumulation behavior without requiring complex spectroscopic or particle analysis equipment.
3Reliability
If multiple height levels are monitored for smoke accumulation, then detection reliability is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring camera continuously captures images of all contrast pattern objects at multiple height levels simultaneously, and the evaluation device continuously analyzes contrast values in real-time. This continuous monitoring eliminates detection delays that would occur with periodic sampling, allowing the system to immediately detect and respond to smoke accumulation at any height level without time loss.
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 solution effectively increases smoke detection reliability by accurately differentiating between smoke accumulation and deception variables, providing a robust and low-error method for triggering alarms only when actual smoke is present, even in environments with minimal wind or sudden changes.
Implementation Method 1
The monitoring camera is designed to record images of a monitoring area
Implementation Method 2
particular characteristic variables, for example temperature or density of smoke particles, are measured
Implementation Method 3
The evaluation device is designed to determine a contrast of the contrast pattern object in the images and to evaluate it as at least one smoke detection feature
Data Source
AI summary
A smoke detection apparatus 1 is proposed, the smoke detection apparatus 1 being able to be connected to at least one monitoring camera 2 which is designed to record images of a monitoring area, the monitoring area comprising at least one stationary contrast pattern object 3, having an evaluation device 5, the evaluation device 5 being designed to detect the at least one contrast pattern object 3 in the images transmitted by the monitoring camera 2, the evaluation device 5 evaluating a change in the contrast pattern object 3 in the images as at least one smoke detection feature in order to detect smoke, the evaluation device 5 being designed to evaluate a contrast deviation between an upper contrast pattern section 4a and a lower contrast pattern section 4b of the at least one contrast pattern object 3 in at least one of the images as the at least one smoke detection feature.