A flexible perception method of thin smoke based on patch total bounded variation for buildings

Abstract

Early fire warning is critical to the safety and stability of power systems. However, current methods encounter challenges in capturing subtle features, limiting their effectiveness in providing timely alerts for potential fire hazards. To overcome this drawback, a novel detection algorithm for thin smoke was proposed to enhance early fire detection capabilities. The core is that the Patch-TBV feature was proposed first, and the total bounded variation (TBV) was computed at the patch level. This approach is rooted in the understanding that traditional methods struggle to detect minute variations in image characteristics, particularly in scenarios where the features are dispersed or subtle. By computing TBV at a more localized level, the algorithm proposed gains a finer granularity in assessing image quality, enabling it to capture subtle variations that might indicate the presence of smoke or early signs of a fire. Another key aspect that sets our algorithm apart is the incorporation of subtle variation magnification. This technique serves to magnify subtle features within the image, leveraging the computed TBV values. This magnification strategy is pivotal for improving the algorithm’s precision in detecting subtle variations, especially in environments where smoke concentrations may be minimal or dispersed. To evaluate the algorithm’s performance in real-world scenarios, a comprehensive dataset, named TIP, comprising 3,120 images was constructed. The dataset covers diverse conditions and potential challenges that might be encountered in practical applications. Experimental results confirm the robustness and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, showcasing its ability to provide accurate and timely fire warnings in various contexts. In conclusion, our research not only identifies the limitations of existing methods in capturing subtle features for early fire detection but also proposes a sophisticated algorithm, integrating Patch-TBV and micro-variation amplification, to address these challenges. The algorithm’s effectiveness and robustness are substantiated through extensive testing, demonstrating its potential as a valuable tool for enhancing fire safety in power systems and similar environments.