Smoke Detection via Light Scattering Changes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current smoke detection devices face challenges in accurately and reliably detecting smoke in environments with stationary light objects, as changes in light scattering due to smoke particles can be masked by other factors, leading to false alarms or missed detections.

Innovation Solution

A smoke detection device equipped with a surveillance camera and an evaluation device that detects changes in light scattering patterns around stationary light objects, using reference data to identify specific smoke detection features such as altered contour profiles, enlarged light object areas, increased light intensity, or reduced contrast, to reliably indicate the presence of smoke.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If smoke detection is performed using traditional methods in environments with stationary light objects, then detection coverage is maintained, but detection accuracy deteriorates due to false alarms or missed detections caused by masked light scattering changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmoke detection accuracyVSAvoidfalse alarm rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by focusing the evaluation on specific regions around stationary light objects where smoke scattering effects are most prominent. The system identifies light object areas and their surrounding light scattering areas, then evaluates changes specifically in these localized regions rather than analyzing the entire image, thereby improving detection accuracy without being distracted by unrelated areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by first identifying stationary light objects and their characteristic light scattering patterns before smoke detection begins. Reference data about normal light scattering is established in advance, allowing the system to compare current images against this baseline and detect deviations caused by smoke, thereby reducing false alarms from environmental variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If light scattering changes are used as smoke detection indicator, then detection sensitivity is improved, but measurement reliability deteriorates due to masking effects from other factors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmoke detection sensitivityVSAvoiddetection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the image analysis into distinct components: identifying the light object area, identifying the surrounding light scattering area, and evaluating changes specifically in the light scattering area. This segmentation allows the system to isolate smoke-related scattering changes from other environmental factors that might mask the detection signal, thereby maintaining high sensitivity while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the light scattering area as an intermediary indicator between the presence of smoke and the detection system. By focusing on the light scattering characteristics around light objects, the system creates a reliable intermediary signal that reflects smoke presence while being less susceptible to masking effects from other environmental factors compared to direct smoke detection methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 enables fast and reliable smoke detection near stationary light sources, particularly near ceilings where smoke accumulation occurs, reducing false alarms and improving detection accuracy by using changes in light scattering as a reliable indicator.

Implementation Method 1

changes in light scattering patterns around stationary light objects, using reference data to identify specific smoke detection features such as altered contour profiles, enlarged light object areas, increased light intensity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP3055847B1Smoke detection device, method for detection of at least one smoke characteristic and computer program
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3055847B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3055847B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3055847B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a smoke detection device 1, said smoke detection device 1 being connectable to at least one monitoring camera 2 which is designed to capture images of a monitored area, said monitored area comprising at least one stationary lighting object 3. The smoke detection device comprises an analyzing device 4, said analyzing device 4 being designed to detect at least one smoke detection feature in the monitored area in order to detect smoke in the images. The analyzing device 4 detects the at least one lighting object in the images, and the analyzing device 4 detects a change of a light scattering of the at least one detected lighting object 3 as the at least one smoke detection feature.