JPH11120458A - Fire detector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To precisely execute information collection concerning a fire by detecting the fire by an infrared camera and forming other video information with a visible camera to superpose both pieces of information. SOLUTION: An infrared camera 2 for detecting a fire point and a monitoring camera 3 for projecting the color, the shape, etc., of an object are provided for monitoring object equipment 2 within a monitoring object facility. Then, an initial video is photographed by the monitoring camera 3 and the position of each object is automatically specified on the picture by picture processing in advance. On the other hand, at the time of detecting the fire point or an abnormally high temperature by the camera 4, an infrared picture is superposed with the initial picture to specify the position and the object of the fire point. In the case of specifying the object of the fire point by superposing the infrared picture and the visible picture, a distance up to the object is combined with an area or length on the picture of the infrared camera by referring to a distance data base obtained in advance to calculate the scale of an actual fire point (an area, the height of the fire, etc.).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fire detecting device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Infrared cameras have been used for fire detection.

[0003]

When an infrared camera is used for detecting a hot spot, for example, when a hot spot is photographed near room temperature, both a high temperature portion of the hot spot and an object at room temperature are simultaneously identified by one image. Had difficulties.

In view of the above, the present invention collects information on the color and shape of an object at room temperature by another means while using an infrared camera which is advantageous for detecting a fire point, and collects information on a fire. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fire detection device that can be implemented with high accuracy.

[0005]

A visible camera is more advantageous than an infrared camera for collecting information such as the color and shape of an object. Therefore, since the fire point detection is performed by an infrared camera and the other video information is formed by a visible camera, information on fire can be collected with high accuracy.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a fire detecting apparatus for specifying a fire spot by using an image, a first image taking means for obtaining an image signal by taking an image with a visible camera, and using the image signal to display each image on a screen. Image processing means for performing image processing to specify the position of the object (area on the screen), second image capturing means for obtaining a video signal by capturing an image with an infrared camera, and displaying an image on the screen using the video signal Image processing for detecting a hot spot, and a means for superimposing an infrared image detected by the fire point detecting means on an image specified by the image processing means. Provided is a fire detection device that specifies a fire point based on an image to be fired.

The first photographing means may photograph a moving object, and the image processing means may perform image processing on images before and after a certain time has passed.

[0008] Other image processing means for recognizing the identification mark attached to the moving object and performing image processing may be added.

A fire scale calculating means based on the distance data may be provided.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the fire detection device. In the figure, an infrared camera 4 for detecting a fire point and a visible camera 3 for displaying the color, shape, etc. of an object are provided for a monitoring target facility 2 in a monitoring target facility. Each visible camera includes an area monitor 6 ', a radiation thermometer 7', a camera platform 8 ', a distance meter 9, a projector 10, and a speaker and microphone 11. The second camera is illustrated with a dash (1). The infrared camera 4 ′ may be installed on the rail 12 and moved on the rail 12. In this case, the video information from the mobile camera 5 is transmitted to the video and audio collection network 15 via the tuners 13, 13'13 '' and the diversity switch 14. Reference numeral 16 denotes a control signal and a video cable for the visible camera, 17 denotes a power supply cable, and 18 denotes a speaker and microphone cable. Reference numeral 19 denotes a control signal and a video cable for the infrared camera.
0 is a power cable.

In the facility 1 to be monitored, a robot computer 21 and a gas detector 22 are provided as other facilities. The robot computer 21 is a portable wireless camera,
The microphone 23 is placed, and its signals are transmitted to the tuner 26 as audio information 24 and video information 25, but they are not directly related to the present invention and will not be described in further detail. Connectors 27 are provided for connecting the inside and outside of the facility 1 to be monitored.

The video and audio collection network 15 has a video switch 3
1 through the audio controller 33
A sequence controller 34 is connected via a video switch 31, a voice identification device 35 via a voice controller 33, and a camera controller 37 via an infrared controller 36. The processed image is displayed on the monitor television 30.

The gas pressure and temperature signal 38 is input to a microcomputer 39.

In the case where a plurality of objects are arranged in the facility 1 to be monitored, the following method is employed to detect which object has a fire point.

1) An initial image is photographed by a visible camera, and the position (area on the screen) of each object on the screen is automatically specified in advance by image processing.

2) On the other hand, an image taken by an infrared camera is subjected to image processing to automatically detect ignition or occurrence of abnormally high temperature.

3) When a fire point or abnormally high temperature is detected by the infrared camera, the position of the fire point and the object are specified by superimposing the infrared image on the initial image.

The object identified on the initial screen has its name,
Data such as the material, the presence or absence of combustible materials, and the presence or absence of dangerous materials may be stored, and information on the object identified as a fire point may be output to a monitoring monitor or the like together with a fire occurrence alarm.

4) When a hot spot or an abnormally high temperature is detected by the infrared camera, the size of the hot spot or the abnormally high temperature portion on the screen (the number of pixels) and the distance between the camera and the hot spot measured by a laser distance meter or the like. From the distance, the size of the fire or the area of the abnormally high temperature part is calculated, and the scale is determined.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a facility where a plurality of objects are arranged. When this is monitored from one direction by the infrared camera 2, the objects 41, 42, 43, and 44 appear to be substantially aligned from the position of the camera 2. Here, the case where the object 42 fires is considered. Since the screen of the camera 2 appears as shown in FIG. 3 and the objects 41, 42, 43, and 44 appear to approach or overlap with each other, it may be difficult to specify the fire spot.

For this reason, the arrangement shown in FIG. 2 is monitored from two directions by the cameras 2 and 2 '. An example is shown in FIG. In the drawing of the camera 2, the objects 41, 42, 43, and 44 may approach or overlap as shown in FIG. 3, and it is difficult to specify the fire point. However, from the image of the camera 2 ′, the objects 41, 42, 43, 4
It can be seen that the object 4 is the object 2. In this way, by monitoring with a two-way camera, the accuracy of specifying a fire point can be improved.

When the placed object moves with time, it is necessary to always update the initial screen and specify the position of the moving object.

FIG. 5 shows an example in which a moving object is included. A pallet 52 is fixed to a moving table 51, and an object 53 is placed thereon.
Moves. Visible camera 3 before and after a certain time has passed,
Image processing is performed on the 3 ′ image, and a moving object is detected by the difference method. For the object whose movement has been detected, the object is specified by image processing from features such as its shape or color. Alternatively, an identification number 54 as shown in FIG. 6 is pasted or printed on the main body of the moving object in advance, or an identification number 56 is attached to the pallet 55 as shown in FIG. Read and identify objects. Orient the identification number so that it can be captured by the camera.

When a fire point is detected by an infrared camera, the scale (area, height of flame, etc.) of the fire may not be determined on the screen.

For this reason, the relationship between the resolution of the camera used and the distance to the subject is measured in advance to determine the relationship between the distance to the subject and the length corresponding to one pixel.

When a hot spot or abnormally high temperature is detected by the infrared camera, the area or length on the screen is obtained from the number of pixels.
At the same time, the distance from the camera to the hot spot or abnormally high temperature portion is measured by a laser range finder or the like, and the actual scale (area, fire height, etc.) of the hot spot is calculated from the two.

Also, an initial image is photographed with a visible camera,
The position (area on the screen) of each object is automatically specified in advance by image processing on the screen. The distance to a certain object is separately measured by a laser distance meter or the like, and the distance from the camera to the object is obtained. In this way, the distance to each object identified on the screen is stored in a database.

When an infrared image and a visible image are superimposed on each other to specify an object at a fire point, the distance to the object is referred to from the previously obtained distance database, and the area or length on the infrared camera screen is determined. In combination, the scale of the actual fire point (area, height of fire, etc.) is calculated.

Next, a flow for detecting a fire spot by superimposing images will be described with reference to a flowchart. First, the basic flow will be described with reference to FIG.

Identification of Object Position by Visible Image An initial image is photographed by the visible cameras 3 and 3 '(S61).
The position (area on the screen) of each object on the screen is identified in advance by image processing (S62). For the object specified on the initial screen, data such as the product name, material, presence / absence of combustible material, presence / absence of dangerous material, and the like are stored in a database and associated with the object on the screen (S63).

Detection of Fire Occurrence by Infrared Image Surveillance video is taken by the infrared cameras 2 and 2 '(S64).
The ignition or abnormal high temperature is identified on the screen by the image processing (S65), and it is determined whether the ignition or abnormal high temperature is detected (S66). In the case of NO, the process returns to S64.

In the case of YES, the process goes to S67.

Identification of a Fire Point by Image Superposition When a fire point (or an abnormally high temperature portion) is detected by the infrared cameras 2, 2 ', the infrared image is superimposed on the initial image to determine the position of the fire point and the object. It is specified (S67). The object name is specified from the specified position (S68), and information (object name, position, presence / absence of a dangerous substance, etc.) of the object specified as the fire point is output to the monitoring monitor television 30 or the like together with a fire occurrence alarm. (S69).

The detection of a fire spot by two-way monitoring will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The same steps as those in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

Identification of a Fire Point by Overlaying Images When a fire point (or an abnormally high temperature portion) is detected by the infrared cameras 2, 2 ', the infrared image is overlaid on the previous initial image to fire the candidate object. The point position is specified (S71).

The position specified by the camera 1 is obtained (S72).

In the same procedure, a fire point is detected by the camera 2 system (S73), and a position specified by the camera 2 system is obtained (S74).

In order to specify a fire point from the two-way image, the two are compared to determine the position of the fire point and to specify the object name (S7).
5).

The detection of a fire spot when a moving object is included will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The same steps as those in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

After S63, a video is taken after a lapse of a certain time (S81), and a difference between the initial and the lapse of a certain time is obtained (S82). It is determined whether or not a difference has occurred (S83). If NO, the process returns to S81. If YES, the process proceeds to the next step. That is, the difference (moving object)
The object is identified from the characteristics such as color and shape of the object (S84), and the identification number or the like attached to the difference (moving object) is identified by image processing to identify the object (S85).

In order to specify a fire point by superimposing images,
Combine two images and set a fire point (or abnormally high temperature)
(A candidate object) is specified (S87).

The case of calculating the fire scale based on the image and the distance data will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
The same steps as those in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Distance Measurement to Fire Point by Rangefinder The relationship between the resolution of the camera used and the distance to the subject is measured in advance by a rangefinder, and the relationship between the distance to the subject and the length corresponding to one pixel is determined. In advance, the distance from this data and the data specifying the position of the ignition point (or abnormally high temperature part) (S91) to the ignition point (or abnormally high temperature part) is measured (S92).

Estimation of the Scale of the Fire Point The position of the fire point (or abnormally high temperature part) is specified (S9).
1) The area and length of the fire point (or abnormally high temperature portion) on the screen are calculated (S93). Based on the data of S92 and S93, the area, length and fire point (or abnormally high temperature part) on the screen
The actual scale (area, fire height) of the fire is calculated from the value of the distance to (S94).

Another example of the fire scale calculation based on the image and the distance data will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. The same steps as those in the other flowcharts have the same numbers.

Measurement by Rangefinder The distance from the camera to a certain object is measured by the rangefinder (S101). This data is sent to step S63.

Identification of Fire Point and Estimation of Scale by Image Superposition Based on the information obtained in steps S63 and S93, the two images are superimposed to specify the position of the fire point (or higher temperature part) (S67). The object name is specified from the specified position (S68). Then, the area on the screen,
The actual scale (area, fire height) of the fire is calculated from the value of the length and the distance to the fire point (or the abnormally high temperature part) (S9).
4) An alarm is issued to the monitor for monitoring (S6).
9).

[0049]

According to the present invention, fire detection is performed by an infrared camera, other video information is formed by a visible camera, and both information are superimposed, so that information on fire can be collected accurately. Can be.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to accurately calculate the fire scale using the image and the distance data.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram in the case of one-way monitoring.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for one-way monitoring.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram in the case of two-way monitoring.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing monitoring of a moving object.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which identification numbers are assigned.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example with an identification number;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is another flowchart of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is another flowchart of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is another flowchart of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is another flowchart of the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Monitoring target facility, 2 ... Monitoring target facility, 3 ... Visible camera, 5 ... Infrared camera, 15 ... Video and audio collection network, 30
... Monitor television, 31 ... Video switch, 32 ... Image processing device, 33 ... Audio controller, 34 ... Sequence controller, 36 ... Infrared camera controller, 37 ... Camera controller path

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Takashi Kimura Inventor Hitachi Engineering Service Co., Ltd. 3-2-2, Sachimachi, Hitachi, Ibaraki

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A fire detecting apparatus for identifying a fire spot from an image, comprising: first photographing means for acquiring an image signal by photographing with a visible camera; and using the image signal to position each object on a screen (on the screen). Image processing means for performing image processing to specify the area), second image capturing means for obtaining a video signal by capturing an image with an infrared camera, and performing image processing of a video on a screen using the video signal. A fire point detecting means for detecting a spot; and a means for superimposing an infrared image detected by the fire point detecting means on an image specified by the image processing means. The fire detection device to be specified. 2. The fire according to claim 1, wherein the first photographing means photographs a moving object, and the image processing means performs image processing on images before and after a certain time has elapsed. Detection device. 3. The fire detecting device according to claim 2, further comprising another image processing means for recognizing the identification mark attached to the moving object and performing image processing. 4. The fire detecting device according to claim 1, further comprising a fire scale calculating means based on the distance data.