Information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program

Abstract

To provide information regarding the gap between railway tracks. [Solution] Multiple images of rails taken from above along the railway line are stored in association with first position information indicating the location where each image was taken. From these images, an image is obtained that corresponds to the first position information corresponding to the location indicated by second position information indicating the location on the railway line received from a terminal device. Based on this image, the minimum gap distance between rail joints shown in the image is calculated and transmitted to the terminal device.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , ,

[0005] , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of an information processing apparatus that provides information on the clearance distance of a track.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for determining whether actual rails are arranged according to the correct layout by comparing an image of a rail taken by a camera mounted on a railway vehicle while the railway vehicle is moving along a track with data indicating the correct layout of the rail captured in the image.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, a track is composed of connecting a large number of rails, and gaps called clearances are provided at the joints between the rails in consideration of the expansion and contraction of the iron rails due to temperature changes. If this clearance distance is too short, problems such as the rails coming into contact with each other when the rails expand and distortion occurring in the track will occur. Therefore, railway operators conduct clearance inspections on all joints to appropriately ensure the clearance distance. On the other hand, conducting clearance inspections on all joints is a heavy burden for railway operators.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus or the like that can provide information on the clearance distance, which can reduce the burden of the clearance inspection for railway operators.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is an information processing method using an information processing apparatus equipped with a storage means for storing a plurality of images of rails taken along a railway line, associated with first position information indicating the position where each of the images was taken, the method comprising: a receiving step of receiving second position information indicating a position on the railway line from a terminal device; an acquisition step of acquiring an image from among the images stored by the storage means that is associated with the first position information corresponding to the position indicated by the second position information received in the receiving step; a calculation step of calculating the minimum gap distance, which is the minimum gap distance at the rail joints shown in the image, based on the image acquired in the acquisition step; and a transmission step of transmitting the minimum gap distance calculated in the calculation step and the first position information associated with the image showing the joint where the minimum gap distance was calculated to the terminal device.

[0008] Furthermore, another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a computer included in an information processing apparatus, which has a storage means for storing a plurality of images of rails taken along a railway line in association with first position information indicating the position where each of the images was taken, functions as a receiving means for receiving second position information indicating a position on the railway line from a terminal device; an acquisition means for acquiring an image from among the images stored by the storage means that is associated with the first position information corresponding to the position indicated by the second position information received by the receiving means; a calculation means for calculating the minimum gap distance, which is the minimum gap distance at the rail joints shown in the image, based on the image acquired by the acquisition means; and a transmission means for transmitting the minimum gap distance calculated by the calculation means and the first position information associated with the image showing the joint where the minimum gap distance was calculated to the terminal device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, a terminal device can be provided with information regarding gap distances that can reduce the burden of gap inspections for railway operators. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This figure shows a schematic configuration of the gap distance provisioning system S according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows the railway vehicle T and rail R according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the rail photography device 10 in this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the user terminal device 30 in this embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the server device 50 in this embodiment. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows an example of the operation of the user terminal device 30 in this embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the search screen 100 in this embodiment. [Figure 8]This is a flowchart showing an operation example of the command unit 51A of the server device 50 in the present embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart showing an operation example of the data analysis unit 51B of the server device 50 in the present embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a diagram showing an example of the track image 200 in the present embodiment. [Figure 11] This is a diagram showing an example of the cut-out image 201 in the present embodiment. [Figure 12] This is a diagram showing an example of the processed cut-out image 201 in the present embodiment. [Figure 13] This is a diagram showing an example of the analysis data in the present embodiment. [Figure 14] This is a flowchart showing an operation example of the display data generation unit 51C of the server device 50 in the present embodiment. [Figure 15] This is a diagram showing an example of the analysis result screen 130 in the present embodiment.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] [1. Configuration of the Clearance Distance Provision System S] First, the configuration of the clearance distance provision system S in the present embodiment will be described using FIG. 1. The clearance distance provision system S includes a rail imaging device 10, a user terminal device 30, and a server device 50. As shown in FIG. 2, the rail imaging device 10 is installed at the bottom of the railway vehicle T and captures the rail R from above while the railway vehicle T is moving. The user terminal device 30 is a terminal device used by a user (for example, a person in charge of clearance inspection) who receives information regarding the clearance distance. The server device 50 calculates the clearance distance of the rail R based on the track image 200 captured by the rail imaging device 10 and transmits information regarding the clearance distance to the user terminal device 30.

[0013] [2. Configuration of the Rail Imaging Device 10] Next, the configuration of the rail imaging device 10 will be described using FIG. 3. The rail imaging device 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, a line sensor camera 14, and an LED (Light Emitting Diode) illumination 15.

[0014] The control unit 11 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. Then, the CPU reads and executes various programs stored in the ROM and the storage unit 12 to realize various functions.

[0015] The storage unit 12 is composed of, for example, an SSD (Solid State Drive) or the like, and stores an operating system and various programs. Note that the various programs may be obtained from, for example, another program server device or the like via a network, or may be recorded on a recording medium and read via a drive device. Further, the storage unit 12 stores the line image 200 captured by the line sensor camera 14 and the metadata 220 corresponding to the line image 200. The metadata 220 includes information regarding the line image 200 (for example, information indicating the route, the distance (in kilometers) from the reference point of the route, the left and right of the rail R, the shooting position of the rail R indicating the joint NO, etc., and shooting time information).

[0016] The communication unit 13 performs wireless or wired communication with the server device 50. The communication unit 13, for example, under the control of the control unit 11, transmits the line image 200, the metadata 220, the device number, and the block number stored in the storage unit 12 to the server device 50 for storage. The device number is an identification number that can uniquely identify the rail imaging device 10 that captured the line image 200. The block number is information that can uniquely identify a block obtained by dividing the line into a plurality of blocks, and indicates the block in which the rail imaging device 10 captured the line image 200. These data may be stored in the server device 50 using a storage medium such as a flash memory.

[0017] The line sensor camera 14 and LED lighting 15, under the control of the control unit 11, capture images from above of the shooting range including the rail R illuminated by the LED lighting 15, and generate a track image 200. The track image 200 is an 8-bit grayscale image. The line sensor camera 14 captures images in units of pixel sequences consisting of multiple pixels, and combines multiple pixel sequences to generate a single track image 200. Each pixel in the track image 200 has 256 gradation values ​​from "0: black" to "255: white".

[0018] [3. Configuration of User Terminal Device 30] Next, the configuration of the user terminal device 30 will be explained using Figure 4. The user terminal device 30 is, for example, a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet terminal, or a smartphone, and is a terminal device used by the user to receive information about the distance between play areas. The user terminal device 30 comprises a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, a communication unit 33, a display unit 34, and an operation unit 35.

[0019] The control unit 31 is composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The CPU then reads and executes various programs stored in the ROM and memory unit 32 to realize various functions.

[0020] The storage unit 32 is composed of, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD, and stores various programs such as the operating system and a web browser. These programs may be obtained, for example, from another program server device via a network, or they may be recorded on a recording medium and read via a drive device.

[0021] The communication unit 33 communicates with the server device 50 wirelessly or via wired connection. For example, under the control of the control unit 31, the communication unit 33 sends a data processing request ((1) in Figure 1) via a web browser to request information about the distance between play areas, and receives display data ((7) in Figure 1) to display the information about the distance between play areas on the web browser.

[0022] The display unit 34 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display and displays information such as text and images. The display unit 34 also displays a web browser, and the web browser displays the search screen 100 and the analysis results screen 130, which will be described later.

[0023] The operation unit 35 is composed of, for example, a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, etc., and receives operation instructions from the user and outputs the content of those instructions as instruction signals to the control unit 31.

[0024] [4. Configuration of Server Device 50] Next, the configuration of the server device 50 will be described using Figure 5. The server device 50 includes a control unit 51, a storage unit 52, a communication unit 53, and an operation unit 54. The server device 50 may be composed of multiple server devices, or it may be a cloud-type server device.

[0025] The control unit 51 is composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The CPU then reads and executes various programs stored in the ROM and memory unit 52 to realize various functions. Note that the control unit 51 or CPU is an example of the "computer" of the present invention.

[0026] The storage unit 52 is composed of, for example, an HDD or SSD, and stores various programs such as an operating system and an application program for providing information on play distance (hereinafter referred to as the "play distance information provision app"). The play distance information provision app causes the control unit 51 to function as a command unit 51A, a data analysis unit 51B, and a display data generation unit 51C. These various programs may be acquired from, for example, another program server device via a network, recorded on a recording medium and read via a drive device, or stored as programs created on the server device 50.

[0027] Furthermore, a database is built in the storage unit 52, and the track images 200, metadata 220, device number, block number acquired from the rail photography device 10 are linked to the upload date and time (the date and time when the track images 200, etc., were uploaded from the rail photography device 10) and stored as a dataset. These datasets are managed by a database management system. The device number, block number, and the information indicating the shooting location of the rail R in the track image 200 included in the metadata 220 are referred to as shooting location information indicating the location where the track image 200 was taken. The storage unit 52 also stores data for displaying the search screen 100 and the analysis result screen 130.

[0028] The communication unit 53 communicates with the server device 50 wirelessly or via wired connection. For example, under the control of the control unit 51, the communication unit 53 receives track images 200 and metadata 220 from the rail photography device 10. The communication unit 53 also communicates with the user terminal device 30 wirelessly or via wired connection. For example, under the control of the control unit 51, the communication unit 53 receives data processing requests ((1) in Figure 1) to provide information on the gap distance, and transmits display data for displaying the search screen 100 and display data ((7) in Figure 1) for displaying the analysis result screen 130, which displays information on the gap distance, in a web browser.

[0029] [5. Operation of User Terminal Device 30] Next, an example of the operation of the control unit 31 of the user terminal device 30 will be described with reference to Figure 6.

[0030] The control unit 31 determines whether or not an initiation operation for obtaining the distance between play areas by the user has been detected via a web browser (step S101). An initiation operation is, for example, accessing a distance acquisition site where the server device 50 provides the distance between play areas via a web browser. The control unit 31 repeats step S101 until such an initiation operation is detected (step S101: NO), and if it determines that such an initiation operation has been detected (step S101: YES), it requests the server device 50 to send display data for displaying the search screen 100, obtains it, and displays the search screen 100 in the web browser (step S102).

[0031] As shown in Figure 7, the search screen 100 includes a dropdown list 101 for the line name (route name), radio buttons 102 for the measurement direction (upbound, downbound), and a numerical box 103 for the target kilometer. The user inputs location information indicating the location from which they want to obtain information about the gap distance by selecting the line name from the dropdown list 101, selecting the measurement direction from the radio buttons 102, and specifying the kilometer (distance from the reference point (starting point) in kilometers / meters) in the numerical box 103. Note that the line name, measurement direction, and kilometer are location information indicating the position on the railway line.

[0032] The control unit 31 waits until it determines that location information has been input (step S103: NO), and when it determines that location information has been input (step S103: YES), it transmits the location information to the server device 50 (step S104). As will be described later, the control unit 51 of the server device 50 converts the location information received from the user terminal device 30 into a device number, block number, and start / end kilometer distance and transmits it to the user terminal device 30. The start / end kilometer distance is the kilometer distance to the beginning and end of the block identified by the block number.

[0033] Next, the control unit 31 waits until it receives the device number, block number, and start / end mileage from the server device 50 (step S105: NO). When it receives the device number, block number, and start / end mileage (step S105: YES), it displays the received device number, block number, and start / end mileage in the first display table 104, corresponding to the line name selected in the drop-down list 101 and the measurement direction (by line) selected in the radio button 102 (step S106). The control unit 31 also displays the device number received from the server device 50 in the radio button 105 related to the device number (step S106). Note that Figure 7 illustrates the case where there are two device numbers, but if there is only one device number, only that device number will be displayed. The user then selects the device number using the radio button 105 and selects the search button 106.

[0034] Next, the control unit 31 waits until the user selects the search button 106 (step S107: NO), and if the search button 106 is selected (step S107: YES), it transmits the device number selected by the radio button 105 to the server device 50 (step S108). As will be described later, the control unit 51 of the server device 50 transmits to the user terminal device 30 the data set name and upload date (the date on which the track images 200 and metadata 220 were uploaded from the rail photography device 10 to the server device 50) of the data set corresponding to the device number received from the user terminal device 30 and the previously acquired block number.

[0035] Next, the control unit 31 waits until it receives the dataset name and upload date from the server device 50 (step S109: NO). When it receives the dataset name and upload date (step S109: YES), it displays the received dataset name and upload date as the target data and upload date in the second display table 107 (step S110). The control unit 31 also displays the dataset name received from the server device 50 in the radio button 108 related to the data to be displayed. Although Figure 7 illustrates the case where there are two dataset names, if there is only one dataset name, only that dataset name will be displayed. The user selects the dataset name to display using the radio button 108, referring to the upload date, and then selects the download button 109.

[0036] Next, the control unit 31 waits until the user selects the download button 109 (step S111: NO), and if the download button 109 is selected (step S111: YES), it sends a data processing request ((1) in Figure 1) including the dataset name selected by the radio button 108 to the server device 50 (step S112). As mentioned above, information other than the dataset name, such as the line name, measurement direction, target kilometer, device number, and block number, is stored on the server device 50 side.

[0037] Next, the control unit 31 waits until it receives display data (7 in Figure 1) for displaying the analysis results screen 130 from the server device 50 (step S113: NO). Once it receives the display data from the server device 50 (step S113: YES), it displays the analysis results screen 130 in the web browser based on the display data (step S114), and terminates the process shown in this flowchart. It is preferable to display the analysis results screen 130 alongside the search screen 100 displayed in the web browser. This allows the user to check the analysis results while viewing the search conditions entered in the search screen 100.

[0038] [6. Operation of Server Device 50] Next, an example of the operation of the control unit 51 of the server device 50 will be described.

[0039] [6.1. Operation of Command Unit 51A] First, with reference to Figure 8, we will explain an example of operation when the control unit 51 operates as the command unit 51A.

[0040] The command unit 51A waits until it receives location information (line name, measurement direction, and kilometer distance) from the user terminal device 30 (step S11: NO). Once it receives location information from the user terminal device 30 (step S11: YES), it refers to a predetermined table (not shown) to convert the line name, measurement direction, and kilometer distance to obtain the device number, block number, and start / end kilometer distance (step S12), and transmits this to the user terminal device 30 (step S13). As described above, the control unit 31 of the user terminal device 30 displays the device number, block number, and start / end kilometer distance received from the server device 50 in the first display table 104 of the search screen 100, allowing the user to select the device number.

[0041] The command unit 51A waits until it receives a device number from the user terminal device 30 (step S14: NO). Once it receives the device number from the user terminal device 30 (step S14: YES), it searches for a dataset in the database management system that corresponds to the received device number and the block number obtained in step S12, and sends the dataset name and upload date to the user terminal device 30 (step S15). As described above, the control unit 31 of the user terminal device 30 displays the dataset name and upload date received from the server device 50 in the second display table 107 of the search screen 100, allowing the user to select a dataset name.

[0042] The command unit 51A waits until it receives a data processing request from the user terminal device 30 (step S16: NO), and when it receives a data processing request from the user terminal device 30 (step S16: YES), it requests data from the storage unit 52 ((2) in Figure 1) (step S17). Specifically, the command unit 51A requests the track images 200 and metadata 220 included in the dataset indicated by the dataset name (selected by radio button 108) included in the data processing request, from among the datasets retrieved in the processing of step S15.

[0043] Next, the command unit 51A issues a data analysis command ((4) in Figure 1) to the data analysis unit 51B (step S18).

[0044] Next, the command unit 51A waits until it receives an analysis completion signal from the data analysis unit 51B (step S19: NO). Once it receives the analysis completion signal from the data analysis unit 51B (step S19: YES), it issues a display data generation command ((6) in Figure 1) to the display data generation unit 51C (step S20).

[0045] Next, the command unit 51A waits until it receives a generation completion signal from the display data generation unit 51C (step S21: NO), and when it receives a generation completion signal from the display data generation unit 51C (step S21: YES), it terminates the process shown in this flowchart.

[0046] [6.2. Operation of the Data Analysis Unit 51B] Next, with reference to Figure 9, an example of operation when the control unit 51 operates as the data analysis unit 51B will be described. In this embodiment, before the flowchart shown in Figure 9 starts, the data analysis unit 51B will have obtained the track image 200 and metadata 220 ((3) in Figure 1) requested in the processing of step S17 from the storage unit 52.

[0047] The data analysis unit 51B waits until it receives a data analysis command from the command unit 51A (step S31: NO). Upon receiving the data analysis command from the command unit 51A (step S31: YES), it detects rail joints R from the track image 200 (see Figure 10) and identifies the coordinates of the joints in the track image 200 (step S32). Note that the processing in step S32 may be performed by an external device such as an AI (Artificial Intelligence).

[0048] Next, the data analysis unit 51B generates an extracted image 201 (see Figures 10 and 11) by cutting out the joints of the rails R from the track image 200 based on the coordinates of the joints in the track image 200 identified in step S32 (step S33).

[0049] Next, the data analysis unit 51B acquires coordinates corresponding to the opposing edges of the two rails R (the upper rail R1 and the lower rail R2 in Figure 11) that form the gap in the cropped image 201 (step S34). Specifically, the data analysis unit 51B acquires multiple coordinates for each predetermined pixel (preferably every pixel) along the opposing edges of the two rails R1 and R2. In this embodiment, the rails R are assumed to be in the vertical direction in the cropped image 201, and the coordinates are assigned to each pixel and expressed as x-coordinates and y-coordinates, where the horizontal direction of the image is the x-axis and the vertical direction of the image is the y-axis. The data analysis unit 51B acquires coordinates such that the x-coordinate acquired for the upper rail R1 and the x-coordinate acquired for the lower rail R2 are the same value. By doing so, the gap distance between the upper rail R1 and the lower rail R2 at that x-coordinate can be calculated by comparing the y-coordinate value of the upper rail R1 and the y-coordinate value of the lower rail R2 that have the same x-coordinate. Note that the processing in step S34 may be performed by an external device such as an AI.

[0050] Next, the data analysis unit 51B obtains the coordinates of the point where the gap 202 (see Figure 11) is smallest, based on the coordinates obtained in step S34, and calculates the minimum gap distance (step S35). Specifically, the data analysis unit 51B obtains the coordinates with the smallest difference in y coordinates for coordinates with the same x coordinate value among the coordinates of the upper and lower rails R1 and R2 obtained in step S34, and then calculates the minimum gap distance based on that difference. The actual distance per pixel is calculated in advance, and the actual distance of the gap 202 is calculated from the difference in y coordinates. The minimum gap distance is the distance of the narrowest part of the gap 202 formed by the upper and lower rails R1 and R2. In other words, if the minimum gap distance is not below the threshold, sufficient gap is secured.

[0051] Next, as shown in Figure 12, the data analysis unit 51B draws lines 203 and 204 connecting the coordinates of the edges obtained in step S34 onto the cropped image 201, and draws circles 205 and 206 on the coordinates of the edges of the two rails R1 and R2 where the gap 202 distance was smallest (step S36). That is, line 203 indicates the edge of rail R1, and line 204 indicates the edge of rail R2. Also, the distance between circle 205 and circle 206 is the minimum gap distance. Note that in the example in Figure 12, due to the characteristics of the processing, lines 203 and 204 are also drawn on the left and right ends of the figure that are not the gap 202 of rail R, but the lines on the parts that are not the gap 202 of rail R may be deleted.

[0052] Next, the data analysis unit 51B generates analysis data (see Figure 13) from the extracted image 201 and the metadata 220 corresponding to the extracted image 201 (step S37). The metadata 220 corresponding to the extracted image 201 is the metadata 220 that was associated with the original track image 200 from which the extracted image 201 was extracted.

[0053] As shown in Figure 13, the analysis data consists of multiple pieces of information: "time," "kilometers," "side," "joint number," "gap," and "image." "Time" is set to the shooting time information contained in metadata 220, "kilometers" is set to the information indicating the kilometer distance contained in metadata 220, "side" is set to the information indicating the left and right sides of rail R contained in metadata 220, and "joint number" is set to the information indicating the joint number contained in metadata 220. In addition, "gap" is set to the minimum gap distance calculated in the processing of step S35, and "image" is set to the cropped image 201 on which lines 203, 204 and circles 205, 206 are written.

[0054] Next, the data analysis unit 51B determines whether or not the processing in steps S32 to S37 has been performed for all track images 200 (step S38). If the data analysis unit 51B determines that the processing in steps S32 to S37 has not been performed for all track images 200 (step S38: NO), it proceeds to the processing in step S32. On the other hand, if the data analysis unit 51B determines that the processing in steps S32 to S37 has been performed for all track images 200 (step S38: YES), it transmits all the analysis data generated in the processing of step S37 ((5) in Figure 1) to the display data generation unit 51C (step S39).

[0055] Next, the data analysis unit 51B transmits an analysis completion signal to the command unit 51A (step S40), and terminates the process shown in this flowchart.

[0056] [6.3. Operation of the display data generation unit 51C] Next, with reference to Figure 14, an example of operation when the control unit 51 operates as a display data generation unit 51C will be described. In this embodiment, the display data generation unit 51C acquires analysis data from the data analysis unit 51B before the flowchart shown in Figure 14 starts.

[0057] The display data generation unit 51C waits until it receives a display data generation command from the command unit 51A (step S61: NO), and when it receives a display data generation command from the command unit 51A (step S61: YES), it generates display data based on the analysis data (step S62). This display data is used to display an analysis result screen 130, which includes a list of information contained in the analysis data, on the Web browser of the display unit 34 of the user terminal device 30.

[0058] As shown in Figure 15, the analysis results screen 130 includes a left / right selection section 131 and a table corresponding to each item of the analysis data. This table has a "NO" column 132 in which an identification number assigned to each analysis data is written, a "Time" column 133 in which the "Time" of the analysis data is written, a "Kilometers" column 134 in which the "Kilometers" of the analysis data are written, a "Side" column 135 in which the "Side" of the analysis data is written, a "Joint NO" column 136 in which the "Joint NO" of the analysis data is written, a "Gap" column 137 in which the "Gap" of the analysis data is written, and an "Image" column 138 in which the "Image" of the analysis data is placed. The analysis results screen 130 associates the minimum gap distance calculated by the data analysis unit 51B with the shooting position information associated with the track image 200 in which the joint from which the minimum gap distance was calculated is shown.

[0059] Next, the display data generation unit 51C transmits the display data ((7) in Figure 1) to the user terminal device 30 (step S63). As a result, the analysis results screen 130 is displayed in the web browser of the display unit 34 of the user terminal device 30 that received the display data.

[0060] Next, the display data generation unit 51C transmits a generation completion signal to the command unit 51A (step S64), and the process shown in this flowchart is terminated.

[0061] As described above, the server device 50 of this embodiment (an example of an "information processing device") stores, in a storage unit 52 (an example of a "storage means"), multiple track images 200 (an example of "images") taken from above along the track, associated with shooting position information (an example of "first position information") indicating the position where each track image 200 was taken, and the command unit 51A (an example of a "receiving means") receives position information (an example of "second position information") indicating the position on the track from the user terminal device 30 (an example of a "terminal device"), and the data analysis unit 51B (an example of an "acquisition means", "calculation means") An example of a "step" is that the storage unit 52 acquires a track image 200 from among the track images 200 stored in the storage unit 52 that is associated with the shooting location information corresponding to the location indicated by the location information received from the user terminal device 30, calculates the minimum gap distance of the rail R joints shown in the track image 200 based on the acquired track image 200, and the display data generation unit 51C (an example of a "transmission means") associates the calculated minimum gap distance with the shooting location information contained in the metadata 220 that is associated with the track image 200 showing the joint for which the minimum gap distance was calculated, and transmits it to the user terminal device 30.

[0062] Therefore, according to the server device 50 of this embodiment, information on the minimum gap distance of rail R corresponding to the position on the track where the user has requested information on the minimum gap distance can be provided, thereby reducing the burden of gap inspection on the user (railway operator).

[0063] Furthermore, the data analysis unit 51B of this embodiment calculates the minimum gap distance based on a plurality of coordinates corresponding to the opposing edges of the two rails R that form the gap 202. The plurality of coordinates corresponding to the opposing edges of the two rails R1 and R2 are calculated based on a cropped image 201 including joints, which is extracted from the track image 200.

[0064] Furthermore, the data analysis unit 51B of this embodiment (an example of "image processing means") writes lines 203 and 204 connecting multiple coordinates corresponding to the opposing edges of the two rails R, and circles 205 and 206 (an example of "marks") indicating coordinates corresponding to the minimum gap distance, onto the cropped image 201, and transmits the cropped image 201 with the lines 203 and 204 and circles 205 and 206 written on it to the user terminal device 30. This allows the user to visually recognize the position of the minimum gap distance and the status of the gap 202.

[0065] In this embodiment, the gap distance is calculated based on track images 200 taken of the rails R by a rail photography device 10 installed on the bottom of the railway vehicle T. However, the track images 200 may also be taken by a rail photography device 10 installed on an aerial vehicle such as a drone. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 10: Rail-mounted camera 11: Control Unit 12: Storage section 13: Communications Department 14: Line sensor camera 15: LED lighting 30: User terminal device 31: Control Unit 32: Storage section 33: Communications Department 34: Display section 35:Operation unit 50: Server device 51: Control Unit 51A: Command department 51B: Data Analysis Department 51C: Display data generation unit 52: Storage section 53: Communications Department 54:Operation unit 100: Search screen 101: Dropdown list 102: Radio button 103: Numeric box 104: First display table 105: Radio button 106: Search button 107: Second display table 108: Radio button 109: Download button 130:Analysis result screen 131: Left / Right Selection Section 132: "NO" column 133: "Time" column 134: "Kilo" column 135: "Side" column 136: "Joint No." column 137: "Gap" column 138: "Image" column 200: Railway track image 201: Cropped image 202: Yuma 203: line 204: line 205: Circle 206: Circle 220: Metadata R: Rail S: Play distance provision system T: Railway vehicles

Claims

1. A storage means that stores multiple images of rails taken along the railway tracks, associated with first position information indicating the location where each of the images was taken, Receiving means for receiving second position information indicating the position on the line from a terminal device, An acquisition means that acquires an image from among the images stored in the storage means that is associated with the first position information corresponding to the position indicated by the second position information received by the receiving means, A calculation means that calculates the minimum gap distance, which is the minimum gap distance at the rail joint shown in the image, based on the image acquired by the acquisition means, A transmission means that transmits to the terminal device the minimum gap distance calculated by the calculation means and the first position information associated with the image showing the joint from which the minimum gap distance was calculated, An information processing device characterized by comprising:

2. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, The calculation means is characterized by calculating the minimum gap distance based on a plurality of coordinates corresponding to the opposing edges of the two rails that form the gap.

3. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2, The information processing device is characterized in that a plurality of coordinates corresponding to the opposing edges of the two rails are calculated based on a cropped image including the joint, which is extracted from the image acquired by the acquisition means.

4. An information processing apparatus according to claim 3, The image processing means further includes drawing lines connecting a plurality of coordinates corresponding to the opposing edges of the two rails, and marks indicating the coordinates corresponding to the minimum gap distance, onto the cropped image. The information processing apparatus is characterized in that the transmission means further associates the cropped image on which the lines and marks are written and transmits it to the terminal device.

5. An information processing method using an information processing device equipped with a storage means for storing multiple images of rails taken along a railway track, in association with first position information indicating the location where each of the images was taken, A receiving step of receiving second position information indicating the position on the line from a terminal device, An acquisition step of acquiring the image stored in the storage means that is associated with the first position information corresponding to the position indicated by the second position information received in the receiving step, A calculation step, based on the image acquired in the acquisition step, calculates the minimum gap distance at the rail joint shown in the image, which is the minimum gap distance. A transmission step of transmitting to the terminal device the minimum gap distance calculated in the calculation step and the first position information associated with the image showing the joint from which the minimum gap distance was calculated, An information processing method characterized by including

6. A computer included in an information processing device that has storage means for storing multiple images of rails taken along a railway track, associated with first position information indicating the location where each of the said images was taken, Receiving means for receiving second position information indicating the position on the line from a terminal device, An acquisition means that acquires an image from among the images stored in the storage means that is associated with the first position information corresponding to the position indicated by the second position information received by the receiving means, Based on the image acquired by the acquisition means, a calculation means calculates the minimum gap distance, which is the minimum gap distance at the rail joint shown in the image. A transmission means that transmits to the terminal device the minimum gap distance calculated by the calculation means and the first position information associated with the image showing the joint from which the minimum gap distance was calculated. An information processing program characterized by functioning as such.

Images