Smoke Detection System and Method Using a Camera

摘要

Image-based fire detection methods are provided which include analyzing a field of view based on a plurality of images, determining if changes occur, and analyzing whether any such changes are due to smoke-like material. Changes due to large objects are ruled out, and drift in the scene or shaking of the image collection device is accounted for by the method. The methods employ representing images of the field of view with quantifiable values and comparing to thresholds established for each event, and activating an alarm if changes due to smoke-like material are detected. The fire detection methods may also include monitoring a field of view for changes, and only performing the analysis on the images if changes are detected. The monitoring and validating stages of the methods include collecting images at different sampling rates for different amounts of information.

主权项

1. A method of detecting smoke in a field of view, comprising:
collecting a plurality of electronic images of said field of view with an image collection device, wherein each of said electronic images includes a plurality of pixels each defined by a quantitative pixel value; comparing each of said pixel values in each of said plurality of electronic images to a predetermined pixel value threshold; calculating a quantitative image pixel value representative of the number of said pixels having pixel values exceeding said predetermined pixel value threshold if any of said individual pixel values exceeds said predetermined pixel value threshold; comparing said image pixel value to a predetermined image pixel value threshold; selecting corresponding portions of at least two of said plurality of electronic images if said image pixel value is less than said predetermined image pixel value threshold; calculating a quantitative image portion value representative of each of said corresponding portions of said at least two electronic images; comparing each of said image portion values to a predetermined image portion value threshold; and activating an alarm if said image portion value for at least one of said corresponding portions is less than said predetermined image portion value threshold.