Parking lot train auxiliary positioning system and method based on two-dimensional code recognition

Abstract

This invention discloses a parking lot train auxiliary positioning system based on QR code recognition, comprising: QR code tags installed on the front and rear ends of the train; a first reader installed at end A of the parking track for scanning the QR code tags at one end of the train; a second reader installed at end B of the parking track for scanning the QR code tags at the other end of the train; a signal installed below each of the first and second readers; a central controller system installed in a control room, connecting the first and second readers, for information identification; and a trackside ATP (Automatic Train Protection) system installed in the control room, connected to the central controller system, for sending auxiliary positioning start / stop commands to the central controller system; wherein the QR code tag contains the train number information of the train it belongs to. A parking lot train auxiliary positioning method based on QR code recognition is also disclosed. This method can quickly and accurately obtain train positioning.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a parking lot train auxiliary positioning system and method based on QR code recognition. Background Technology

[0002] In fully automated rail transit lines, before a train departs from the depot, it typically needs to power on and initialize its positioning using the onboard ATP (Automatic Train Protection) system. Only after successful positioning by the onboard ATP can wireless communication be established with the trackside ATP. The trackside ATP receives the positioning information reported by the onboard ATP, and only then is the train's initial positioning considered successful. Based on these conditions, the trackside ATP opens the first signal ahead of the train's parking track (displaying a permitted train light) according to the train's schedule. Existing train in-situ initial positioning technology primarily relies on a query transponder system. The train's query antenna reads ground-based signals to wake up the transponders, and the train-to-ground wireless communication enables the trackside ATP to receive the positioning information from the onboard ATP.

[0003] The disadvantages of the aforementioned positioning technology are as follows: When a train enters a parking lot track to stop, but its stopping control accuracy is poor, there is a possibility that the train's transponder reading antenna and the wake-up transponder on the track may be misaligned. This results in the train's onboard ATP (Automatic Train Protection) powering on the next day, and the transponder reading antenna working, but because the wake-up transponder is outside the antenna's sensing range, the transponder cannot be successfully read, and the onboard ATP's own positioning fails. The trackside ATP cannot know the train's position. Even if the onboard ATP successfully reads the wake-up transponder after powering on and its own positioning is successful, it cannot send the train's positioning information to the ground-based trackside ATP system when the train's wireless communication fails. The trackside ATP still cannot know the train's position. If the trackside ATP cannot successfully obtain the train's position, it will be unable to automatically activate the first signal ahead of the train according to the train operation plan. In this case, maintenance personnel usually need to manually confirm the train number on-site and manually associate the train number and track on the signal system dispatch console display interface to manually initialize the train's positioning. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of existing systems and provide a parking lot train auxiliary positioning system and method based on QR code recognition, which can quickly and accurately obtain train positioning.

[0005] The technical solution to achieve the above objectives is:

[0006] One of the present inventions is a parking lot train auxiliary positioning system based on QR code recognition, comprising:

[0007] QR code labels installed on the front and rear ends of the train;

[0008] A first barcode reader installed at end A of the parking track for scanning the QR code label at one end of the train;

[0009] A second barcode reader installed at end B of the parking track for scanning the QR code label at the other end of the train;

[0010] A signal device is installed below each of the first and second code readers;

[0011] A central controller system installed in the computer room, connecting the first barcode reader and the second barcode reader, for information identification;

[0012] A trackside ATP (Automatic Train Protection) installed in the computer room and connected to the central controller system, used to send auxiliary positioning start / stop commands to the central controller system;

[0013] The QR code label contains the train number information of the train to which it belongs.

[0014] Preferably, the central controller system communicates with the first barcode reader on each track, the second barcode reader, and the trackside ATP via an Ethernet network interface.

[0015] The central controller system has an ID (number) identification function for the first and second barcode readers on any track.

[0016] Preferably, the central controller system includes a host, a trackside database, and a control module;

[0017] The trackside database contains detailed records of all barcode reader IDs connected to the central controller system, track information associated with the barcode reader, signal information associated with the barcode reader, and standard train center position information for train parking on the track.

[0018] The control module controls the opening / closing of the first and second barcode readers, receives and parses the information sent by the first and second barcode readers, compares the consistency of the car number information sent by the first and second barcode readers on each track, searches for the standard train center position information of each track in the trackside database, sends information to the trackside ATP, and receives control request information from the trackside ATP.

[0019] The center position of the standard train parking area on the track is determined based on the center line of the standard train parking area outline.

[0020] Preferably, both the first barcode reader and the second barcode reader have unique IDs within the central controller system.

[0021] The second invention relates to a parking lot train-assisted positioning method based on QR code recognition, comprising:

[0022] Step F1: Initially, the trackside ATP initialization positioning failed. As needed, it automatically activates the train identification requirement for a specific track and sends an activation command to the central controller system.

[0023] Step F2: The central controller system obtains the specific track to be identified based on the received trackside ATP activation command information, and activates the corresponding specific first and second code readers.

[0024] Step F3: The first and second barcode readers that are activated acquire the QR code label images of the track train, and each barcode reader parses the images to obtain the train number information.

[0025] In step F4, the first and second barcode readers that are activated will send the vehicle number information they have obtained back to the central controller system.

[0026] Step F5: The central controller system compares the two vehicle number information obtained from the specific first and second barcode readers that have been activated;

[0027] Step F6: If the two train numbers match, the central controller system determines that the train number is valid, and searches for the associated track ID in the trackside database according to the IDs of the first and second code readers, and determines the train position.

[0028] If the two train number information are inconsistent, the central controller system determines that the QR code tag positioning has failed. At this time, the train number and train position returned to the trackside ATP are empty, and the reading failure is marked.

[0029] Step F7: After determining the train's location, the central controller system sends the train number and location to the trackside ATP, indicating successful identification.

[0030] In step F8, the trackside ATP registers the train number and position obtained from the central controller system in the trackside ATP, and the trackside ATP completes the initial positioning of the train; regardless of whether the identification is successful or unsuccessful, the trackside ATP will send a shutdown command to the central controller system.

[0031] Preferably, in step F1, the attached list of stock channel IDs to be queried can be issued for some or all stock channels.

[0032] Preferably, in step F3, the vehicle number information is in the format of: route number + vehicle number.

[0033] Preferably, in step F6, the track ID found in the trackside database corresponds one-to-one with the IDs of the first barcode reader and the second barcode reader.

[0034] Preferably, in step F7, the central controller system sends the track standard train parking center position as the train position to the trackside ATP.

[0035] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0036] The QR code tags in the train auxiliary positioning system of this invention are readily available on the market, offering greater versatility and lower cost. Furthermore, the QR code tags are simply affixed to the front of the train, simplifying installation and not interfering with routine vehicle maintenance. The reader has relatively relaxed requirements for its reading range and lower demands on the train's precise stopping performance on the track. The reader boasts a higher success rate in reading QR codes. The communication between the reader and the central controller system uses an Ethernet network, which offers greater stability and reliability, facilitating the trackside ATP's acquisition of train position from the central control system.

[0037] This invention provides a train-assisted positioning method in which a barcode reader identifies QR code tags at both the front and rear of the train and sends the identified train number to a central controller system. The central controller system reliably identifies the train number by comparing and judging the consistency of the train number information. The central controller system can locate the specific track where the train is located by referring to the track association of the barcode reader in its trackside database, and marks the train position according to the standard train parking center position of the track in the trackside database. Based on automatic QR code recognition, the central controller system makes a judgment based on the information from the two barcode readers at the front and rear of the train, avoiding the errors of manual identification of train numbers. The central controller system of this invention determines the track where the train is located by automatically searching the trackside database, avoiding the errors of manual identification of train tracks.

[0038] The system and method of this invention help alleviate two train positioning problems under existing signal system designs: one is the failure of initial positioning due to the failure of the train to read the wake-up transponder in the parking lot; the other is the failure of train-to-ground wireless communication, in which the trackside ATP cannot obtain the train position sent by the onboard ATP and cannot complete the initial positioning of the train.

[0039] The system and method of the present invention can assist existing signaling systems, enabling their trackside ATP to obtain train number and location information as soon as possible, thereby allowing the trackside ATP system to conditionally open the signals on the track, so that the train can depart smoothly.

[0040] The train auxiliary positioning system of the present invention can also be applied to parking lots that are not equipped with signal ATC (Automatic Train Control) automation management functions or when the signal ATC system is completely malfunctioning. Parking lot management and maintenance personnel can quickly obtain the parking status of trains on the track through the train auxiliary positioning system. Attached Figure Description

[0041] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of the parking lot train auxiliary positioning system based on QR code recognition according to the present invention;

[0042] Figure 2 This is an information flow diagram between devices in the parking lot train auxiliary positioning system based on QR code recognition according to the present invention;

[0043] Figure 3 This is a detailed block diagram of the central controller system in this invention;

[0044] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the parking lot train auxiliary positioning method based on QR code recognition according to the present invention.

[0045] In the diagram: 1. QR code label; 2. First barcode reader; 3. Second barcode reader; 4. Central controller system; 5. Trackside ATP; 6. Standard train parking center position on the track; 7. Outline of the standard train parking area; 8. Signal; 41. Main unit; 42. Trackside database; 43. Control module. Detailed Implementation

[0046] The technical solution of the present invention will now be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0047] The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0048] As shown in Figure 1, the parking lot train auxiliary positioning system based on QR code recognition includes:

[0049] A QR code label 1 is installed on the front and rear ends of the train, with the image of QR code label 1 facing the direction of travel of its respective end. A first barcode reader 2 is installed at end A of the parking track to scan QR code label 1 at one end of the train, and a second barcode reader 3 is installed at end B of the parking track to scan QR code label 1 at the other end of the train. The center point of the barcode reader's scanning range is directly opposite the location of QR code label 1 at the end of the train when it is in a standard stop. A signal 8 is installed directly below each of the first barcode reader 2 and the second barcode reader 3. A central controller system 4 is installed in the control room and connects to the first barcode reader 2 and the second barcode reader 3 for information identification. A trackside ATP 5 is installed in the control room and connects to the central controller system 4 to send auxiliary positioning start / stop commands to the central controller system 4. The QR code label 1 contains the train number information of its respective train.

[0050] In an optional embodiment, the central controller system 4 communicates with the first barcode reader 2 and the second barcode reader 3 on each track, as well as with the trackside ATP 5, via an Ethernet network interface.

[0051] In an optional embodiment, the central controller system 4 has an ID recognition function for the first barcode reader 2 and the second barcode reader 3 on any track.

[0052] In an optional embodiment, the central controller system 4 is connected to multiple first barcode readers 2 and second barcode readers 3 via a multi-port network switch.

[0053] like Figure 2 As shown, the information exchange process between the parking lot train auxiliary positioning system devices is as follows:

[0054] Step S1: The trackside ATP 5 sends an auxiliary positioning on / off command to the central controller system 4, which is used by the central controller system 4 to determine whether to turn the barcode reader on or off, and includes a list of track IDs to be queried. This command can be sent to some or all tracks.

[0055] In step S2, the central controller system 4 sends the train number, train position, recognition success, and recognition failure information to the trackside ATP 5 as feedback after step S1.

[0056] In step S3, the central controller system 4 sends an on / off command to the first barcode reader 2.

[0057] Step S4: Wait for the information from the first barcode reader 2 to be transmitted back.

[0058] In step S5, the central controller system 4 sends an open / close command to the second barcode reader 3.

[0059] Step S6: Wait for the information from the second barcode reader 3 to be transmitted back.

[0060] like Figure 3 As shown, the central controller system 4 includes a host 41, a trackside database 42, and a control module 43.

[0061] In an optional embodiment, host 41 can be a commercially available industrial computer with at least three Ethernet network interfaces.

[0062] In an optional embodiment, the trackside database 42 records in detail all reader IDs connected to the central controller system 4, track information associated with the reader, signal 8 information associated with the reader, and track center position information of the standard train parking on the track. The specific information is shown in the table below.

[0063]

[0064] In an optional embodiment, the control module 43 includes functions for controlling the opening / closing of the first barcode reader 2 and the second barcode reader 3, receiving and parsing information sent by the first barcode reader 2 and the second barcode reader 3, comparing the consistency of the car number information sent by the first barcode reader 2 and the second barcode reader 3 on each track, searching for the standard train center position information for each track in the trackside database 42, sending information to the trackside ATP 5, and receiving control request information from the trackside ATP 5; wherein, the standard train center position 6 for track parking is determined based on the center line 7 of the outline of the standard train parking area.

[0065] In an optional embodiment, the first barcode reader 2 and the second barcode reader 3 each have a unique ID within the central controller system 4.

[0066] like Figure 4 As shown, the parking lot train-assisted positioning method based on QR code recognition includes:

[0067] In step F1, the initial positioning of the trackside ATP 5 fails. As needed, it automatically activates the train identification of a specific track and sends an activation command to the central controller system 4. It also sends a list of track IDs to be queried, which can be sent to some or all tracks.

[0068] In step F2, the central controller system 4 obtains the specific track to be identified based on the received trackside ATP 5 activation command information, and activates the corresponding specific first barcode reader 2 and second barcode reader 3.

[0069] In step F3, the first and second barcode readers 2 and 3, which are activated, acquire images of the QR code labels 1 on the track train. Each barcode reader parses the images to obtain the train number information. The train number information is in the format of: track number + train number.

[0070] In step F4, the activated first barcode reader 2 and second barcode reader 3 transmit the vehicle number information they obtained back to the central controller system 4.

[0071] In step F5, the central controller system 4 compares the two vehicle number information obtained from the specific first barcode reader 2 and the second barcode reader 3 that have been activated.

[0072] In step F6, if the two train numbers match, the central controller system 4 determines that the train number is valid, and searches for the associated track ID in the trackside database 42 based on the IDs of the first barcode reader 2 and the second barcode reader 3, and determines the train position; the associated track IDs searched in the trackside database 42 correspond one-to-one with the IDs of the first barcode reader 2 and the second barcode reader 3.

[0073] If the two train number information are inconsistent, the central controller system 4 determines that the QR code tag 1 has failed to locate. At this time, the train number and train position sent back to the trackside ATP 5 are empty, and the reading failure is marked.

[0074] In an optional embodiment, the central controller system 4 has a voting mechanism for analyzing information returned by the first barcode reader 2 and the second barcode reader 3 on the same track. Information from barcode readers not on the same track is not voted on by the central controller system 4. This is determined by the one-to-one correspondence between barcode reader IDs and track IDs, as shown in the table below in the trackside database 42.

[0075] After the central controller system 4 determines that the train number is valid, it looks up the following table based on the IDs of the two code readers that returned the train number information. First, it identifies the track ID, and then obtains the standard train parking center position 6 of the track corresponding to the track ID.

[0076]

[0077] The central controller system 4 compares the information field format in the table below and votes on the train number information that meets the specified number of digits and value range. If the comparison results are the same, the train number is valid; if the comparison results are different, the train number recognition fails.

[0078] Fields Number of digits value range Line number 2 01-99 Vehicle number 3 001-999

[0079] Step F7: After determining the train position, the central controller system 4 sends the train number and position to the trackside ATP 5, and the identification is successful; the central controller system 4 sends the standard train parking center position 6 of the track as the train position to the trackside ATP 5.

[0080] In step F8, the trackside ATP 5 will obtain the train number and position from the central controller system 4 and record them in the trackside ATP 5. The trackside ATP 5 completes the initial positioning of the train. Regardless of whether the identification is successful or unsuccessful, the trackside ATP 5 will send a shutdown command to the central controller system 4.

[0081] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A parking lot train auxiliary positioning method based on a QR code recognition-based parking lot train auxiliary positioning system, comprising: QR code labels installed on the front and rear ends of the train; A first barcode reader installed at end A of the parking track for scanning the QR code label at one end of the train; A second barcode reader installed at end B of the parking track for scanning the QR code label at the other end of the train; A signal device is installed below each of the first and second code readers; A central controller system installed in the computer room, connecting the first barcode reader and the second barcode reader, for information identification; A trackside ATP (Automatic Train Protection) installed in the computer room and connected to the central controller system, used to send auxiliary positioning start / stop commands to the central controller system; The QR code label contains the train number information of the train to which it belongs; The central controller system includes a host, a trackside database, and a control module; The trackside database records all reader IDs connected to the central controller system, track information associated with the reader, signal information associated with the reader, and standard train center position information for train parking on the track. The control module controls the opening / closing of the first and second barcode readers, receives and parses the information sent by the first and second barcode readers, compares the consistency of the car number information sent by the first and second barcode readers on each track, searches for the standard train center position information of each track in the trackside database, sends information to the trackside ATP, and receives control request information from the trackside ATP. The center position of the standard train parking on the track is determined based on the center line of the outline of the standard train parking area. The parking lot train auxiliary positioning method is characterized by including: Step F1: Initial trackside ATP initialization positioning fails. As needed, it automatically activates the train identification requirement for a specific track and sends an activation command to the central controller system. Step F2: The central controller system obtains the specific track to be identified based on the received trackside ATP activation command information, and activates the corresponding specific first and second code readers. Step F3: The first and second barcode readers that are activated acquire the QR code label images of the track train, and each barcode reader parses the images to obtain the train number information. In step F4, the first and second barcode readers that are activated will send the vehicle number information they have obtained back to the central controller system. Step F5: The central controller system compares the two vehicle number information obtained from the specific first and second barcode readers that have been activated; Step F6: If the two train numbers match, the central controller system determines that the train number is valid, searches for the associated track ID in the trackside database based on the IDs of the first and second code readers, and determines the train position. If the two train number information are inconsistent, the central controller system determines that the QR code tag positioning has failed. At this time, the train number and train position returned to the trackside ATP are empty, and the reading failure is marked. Step F7: After determining the train's location, the central controller system sends the train number and location to the trackside ATP, indicating successful identification. In step F8, the trackside ATP will obtain the train number and position from the central controller system and register them in the trackside ATP. The trackside ATP completes the initial positioning of the train. Regardless of whether the identification is successful or unsuccessful, the trackside ATP will send a shutdown command to the central controller system.

2. The parking lot train auxiliary positioning method according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step F1, a list of stock channel IDs to be queried is attached, which is issued for some or all stock channels.

3. The parking lot train auxiliary positioning method according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step F3, the vehicle number information is in the format of: route number + vehicle number.

4. The parking lot train auxiliary positioning method according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step F6, the track IDs found in the trackside database correspond one-to-one with the IDs of the first and second barcode readers.

5. The parking lot train auxiliary positioning method according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step F7, the central controller system sends the standard train parking center position on the track as the train position to the trackside ATP.

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