MONITOR AND CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OCCUPANT SAFETY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF STRUCTURES

• US 20130321637A1
• Filed: 05/24/2013
• Published: 12/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Teledyne FLIR LLC (Teledyne Technologies Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc. (Teledyne Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: Frank, Jeffrey D., Boulanger, Pierre, Jepson, Shawn, Richardson, Patrick B., Fairfield, Nile E., Hgasten, Nicholas, Hoelter, Theodore R., Strandemar, Katrin
• Granted Patent: US 9,948,872 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/152
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/57 Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/677 for reducing the column or line fixed pattern noise
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/33 Transforming infrared radiation cameras or camera modules for generating image signals from infrared radiation H04N23/20; circuitry of SSIS for transforming infrared radiation into image signals H04N25/20

Abstract

Various systems and methods are disclosed for monitoring and controlling using small infrared imaging modules to enhance occupant safety and energy efficiency of buildings and structures. In one example, thermal images captured by infrared imaging modules may be analyzed to detect presence of persons, identify and classify power-consuming objects, and monitor environmental conditions. Based on the processed thermal images, various power-consuming objects (e.g., an HVAC system, lighting, a water heater, and other appliances) may be controlled to increase energy efficiency. In another example, thermal images captured by infrared imaging modules may be analyzed to detect various hazardous conditions, such as a combustible gas leak, a CO gas leak, a water leak, fire, smoke, and, an electrical hotspot. If such hazardous conditions are detected, an appropriate warning may be generated and/or various objects may be controlled to remedy the conditions.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

one or more infrared imaging modules comprising a focal plane array (FPA) configured to capture a thermal image of an area;

a processor configured to process the thermal image to detect presence of one or more persons in the area, and to generate control signals to control future power usage of one or more objects based at least in part on the detected presence or non-presence of one or more persons; and

a communication module configured to transmit the control signals to control the future power usage of the one or more objects.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more objects include at least one of a heater, an air conditioner, a heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) unit, a water heater, an oven, a lamp, or a lighting fixture.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

process the thermal image to identify a hazardous condition and to determine a source of the hazardous condition;

generate a control signal to remedy the hazardous condition if the source is controllable; and

generate a warning if the hazardous condition is not capable of being remedied.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the identified hazardous condition includes at least one of a carbon monoxide (CO) gas leak, a combustible gas leak, fire, smoke, an electrical hot spot, a water leak, or flood.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to generate the control signals based at least in part on a number and/or physical status of persons detected to provide to appropriate personnel.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

monitor environmental conditions; and

generate the control signals based at least in part on the environmental conditions.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the thermal image comprises thermal radiation from the one or more objects; and

the processor is further configured to process the thermal image to identify one or more object types of the one or more objects, and to generates the control signals based at least in part on the one or more object types.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the thermal image comprises thermal radiation from the one or more objects; and

the processor is further configured to process the thermal image to identify power usage by the one or more objects.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to:

perform an analysis of power usage by the one or more objects; and

make suggestions to increase energy efficiency of the one or more objects.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the thermal image is an unblurred thermal image of the area;

the infrared imaging module is further configured to capture an intentionally blurred thermal image of the area; and

the processor is further configured to determine a plurality of non-uniform correction (NUC) terms based on the intentionally blurred thermal image and apply the NUC terms to the unblurred thermal image to remove noise form the unblurred thermal image.

11. A method comprising:

capturing, at a focal plane array of an infrared imaging module, a thermal image of an area;

processing the thermal image to detect presence of one or more persons in the area;

generating control signals to control future power usage of one or more objects based at least in part on the detected presence or non-presence of one or more persons; and

communicating the control signals to the objects over a network.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more objects include at least one of a heater, an air conditioner, a heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) unit, a water heater, an oven, a lamp, or a lighting fixture.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein:

said processing further comprises processing the thermal image to identify a hazardous condition and to determine a source of the hazardous condition; and

said generating further comprises;

generating a control signal to the object to remedy the hazardous condition if the source is controllable; and

generating a warning if the hazardous condition is not capable of being remedied.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the identified hazardous condition includes at least one of a carbon monoxide (CO) gas leak, a combustible gas leak, fire, smoke, an electrical hot spot, a water leak, or flood.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein said generating comprises generating the control signals based at least in part on a number of persons detected.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

monitoring environmental conditions, wherein said generating further comprises generating the control signals based at least in part on the environmental conditions.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein

the thermal image comprises thermal radiation from the one or more objects;

said processing further comprises processing the thermal image to identify one or more object types of the one or more objects; and

said generating comprises generating the control signals based at least in part on the one or more object types.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein:

the thermal image comprises thermal radiation from the one or more objects; and

said processing further comprises processing the thermal image to identify power usage by the one or more objects.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

performing an analysis of power usage by the one or more objects; and

making suggestions to increase energy efficiency of the one or more objects.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the thermal image is an unblurred thermal image, the method further comprising:

capturing an intentionally blurred thermal image of the external environment;

determining a plurality of non-uniform correction (NUC) terms based on the intentionally blurred thermal image; and

applying the NUC terms to the unblurred thermal image to remove noise from the unblurred thermal image.