Level Crossing Barrier Detection Using Merged 2D and 3D Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing monitoring systems for level crossing barriers are dependent on lighting conditions and incur additional costs for lighting, and mechanical systems lack compatibility with barrier integrity detection.
Innovation Solution
A detection device using an imaging unit with 2D and 3D imaging modules to acquire and synthesize images and point clouds, determining parameters such as position, movement, and integrity of barriers through image merging and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visible light cameras are used to monitor level crossing barriers, then image quality is improved under good lighting conditions, but monitoring fails in darkness and additional light sources are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operating wavelength parameter from visible light to infrared light. The infrared imaging module operates in the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, allowing it to detect thermal radiation from the barrier and surrounding environment without requiring external illumination, thus enabling continuous monitoring day and night.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a thermal radiation copy of the visible scene. The infrared imaging module captures thermal radiation patterns that correspond to the physical barrier and its movements, producing an infrared image that replicates the barrier's position and state information without needing to see visible light reflections.
2Reliability
If light sources are deployed to enable nighttime monitoring, then monitoring availability is improved, but power consumption and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared imaging module is self-powered in terms of illumination, as it detects thermal radiation that is naturally emitted by all objects with temperature above absolute zero. The barrier and surrounding environment serve as their own light sources by emitting infrared radiation, eliminating the need for external power-consuming illumination systems.
3Measurement precision
If mechanical systems like inclinometers and encoders are used to detect barrier status, then position detection is improved, but barrier integrity detection is not compatible
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared imaging module performs multiple functions: it detects the barrier's position by tracking its thermal signature, monitors barrier integrity by analyzing the continuity and shape of the thermal pattern, and can detect anomalies such as gaps or damage. A single device replaces multiple specialized mechanical sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces mechanical contact-based sensors (inclinometers, encoders) with an optical/infrared detection system. The infrared imaging module uses thermal radiation detection instead of mechanical coupling, allowing non-contact measurement of both position and integrity parameters.
4Measurement precision
If multiple specialized sensors are deployed to monitor various barrier parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared imaging module is designed to extract multiple parameters (position, integrity, movement state) from a single thermal radiation source (the barrier itself). By processing the thermal image data, the system derives all necessary monitoring information without requiring separate sensors for each parameter.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides reliable monitoring of level crossing barriers independent of lighting conditions and reduces maintenance costs by enhancing the detection of barrier status and integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a second imaging module configured to acquire a three-dimensional (3D) cloud of points of a second scene according to a second plurality of acquisition parameters... the first and the second scene comprising the barrier of the level crossing
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a detection device (100) configured to detect in a 2D image of a first scene, acquired by a first imaging module (112), a set of pixels representing a barrier (200) of a level crossing (40), and to synthetize a virtual 2D image from a set of points of a 3D cloud of points of a second scene acquired by the second imaging module (112), the first and the second scene comprising the barrier (200), the virtual 2D image comprising a 2D arrangement of pixels and being synthetized according to a first plurality of acquisition parameters so that a plurality of pixels of the virtual 2D image corresponds to the set of pixels of the 2D image representing the barrier (200), the 2D image being merged with the virtual 2D image to provide an enhanced 2D image from which the parameters of the barrier (200) are determined.