Change Detection System

Abstract

A change detection system including an image analysis unit that analyzes an image gathered from an image gathering unit, a change detection unit that detects changes in a plurality of images taken over a predetermined time, where the change detection unit modifies the image to indicate areas where a change has occurred.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method of detecting a change in an agricultural field including the steps of:
 gathering a first image from an aerial device;   separating the first image into a plurality of tiles of a predetermined size by an image analysis unit;   determining the geo location of each tile in the image;   performing an Otsu binary thresholding on a tile in the first image;   assigning a vegetation mask having an analog value greater than 0 to each pixel in the tile based on the Otsu binary thresholding with pixels not assigned to vegetation being assigned a value of 0,   performing, via an image analysis unit, a pixel by pixel analysis of each pixel in the tile with a vegetation mask greater then 0;   retrieving from memory at least one previously analyzed version of the tile;   comparing the analyzed tile to the at least one previously analyzed tile to determine any change in the tile; and   marking an area on the image to indicate change has been detected in the tile.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , including the step of selecting an adjacent tile to the previous tile selected. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , including the step of performing an Otsu binary thresholding on the adjacent tile first image. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , including the step of assigning a vegetation mask having an analog value greater than 0 to each pixel in the adjacent tile based on the Otsu binary thresholding with pixels not assigned to vegetation being assigned a value of 0. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , including the step of performing, via an image analysis unit, a pixel by pixel analysis of each pixel in the adjacent tile with a vegetation mask greater then 0. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , including the step of combining the tile and the adjacent tile into a single tile. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , including the step of retrieving a previously analyzed tile and previously analyzed adjacent tile. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , including the step of combining the previously analyzed tile and previously analyzed adjacent tile into a single tile. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , including the step of comparing the combined tile to the combined previously analyzed tile to determine a change in the combined tile. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , including the step of using the geo location information of the combined tile to indicate the area of change on the first image. 
     
     
         11 . A change detection unit including a processor executing a series of steps including:
 gathering a first image from an aerial device;   separating the first image into a plurality of tiles of a predetermined size by an image analysis unit;   determining the geo location of each tile in the image;   performing an Otsu binary thresholding on a tile in the first image;   assigning a vegetation mask having an analog value greater than 0 to each pixel in the tile based on the Otsu binary thresholding with pixels not assigned to vegetation being assigned a value of 0,   performing, via an image analysis unit, a pixel by pixel analysis of each pixel in the tile with a vegetation mask greater then 0;   retrieving from memory at least one previously analyzed version of the tile;   comparing the analyzed tile to the at least one previously analyzed tile to determine any change in the tile; and   marking an area on the image to indicate change has been detected in the tile.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , including the step of selecting an adjacent tile to the previous tile selected. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , including the step of performing an Otsu binary thresholding on the adjacent tile first image. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , including the step of assigning a vegetation mask having an analog value greater than 0 to each pixel in the adjacent tile based on the Otsu binary thresholding with pixels not assigned to vegetation being assigned a value of 0. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , including the step of performing, via an image analysis unit, a pixel by pixel analysis of each pixel in the adjacent tile with a vegetation mask greater then 0. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , including the step of combining the tile and the adjacent tile into a single tile. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , including the step of retrieving a previously analyzed tile and previously analyzed adjacent tile. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , including the step of combining the previously analyzed tile and previously analyzed adjacent tile into a single tile. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , including the step of comparing the combined tile to the combined previously analyzed tile to determine a change in the combined tile. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , including the step of using the geo location information of the combined tile to indicate the area of change on the first image.