Infrared Wayside Communication for Rail Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wayside device communication methods, which rely on visible light indicators, are obstructed by poor visibility conditions such as night or inclement weather, limiting the crew's knowledge of operational modes until close proximity, posing safety risks for rail vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing non-visible light patterns, specifically infrared LEDs, to communicate operational modes of wayside devices to rail vehicles, allowing detection from a greater distance and in adverse conditions, through a camera and image module that processes these patterns to output corresponding messages for crew and safety systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If visible light indicators are used to communicate operational modes, then the communication method is simple and cost-effective, but visibility is reduced in poor weather conditions and at night
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of light from visible spectrum to infrared spectrum. This allows the light to penetrate fog, rain, and darkness more effectively, resolving the visibility obstruction problem while maintaining the simplicity of optical communication
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary infrared camera system that captures and processes infrared light patterns from wayside devices. This mediator converts invisible infrared signals into visible information for the train crew, enabling reliable communication through adverse weather conditions
2Reliability
If visible light indicators are used, then the device complexity remains low, but the detection distance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By changing from visible light to infrared light, the detection distance is extended because infrared radiation travels farther and penetrates atmospheric conditions better than visible light, allowing the train crew to receive operational mode information from greater distances
3Reliability
If non-visible light patterns are used for communication, then detection distance and reliability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses infrared LEDs that replicate the operational mode information in infrared light patterns, creating an invisible copy of the visible light signals. This allows the same information to be transmitted in a more reliable medium without requiring complete redesign of the communication protocol
Solution Approach 2:
An infrared camera and image processing system serves as an intermediary that captures infrared patterns and converts them into actionable information. While this adds components, it maintains compatibility with existing wayside devices and enables the reliability benefits of infrared communication
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
Enables reliable detection of wayside device operational modes at greater distances and in poor visibility conditions, reducing the likelihood of collisions and derailments by providing timely information to the crew and safety systems.
Implementation Method 1
A first light unit configured to emit a first pattern of light in a non-visible spectrum; a second light unit configured to emit a second pattern of light in the non-visible spectrum
Implementation Method 2
a camera configured to capture images in a non-visible spectrum; said image module configured to process data of captured images to identify images having a first pattern of non-visible light and a second pattern of non-visible light
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method and device for communicating information from a wayside device to a vehicle are provided. In one embodiment, the device comprises. a first light unit configured to emit a first pattern of light in a non-visible spectrum; a second light unit configured to emit a second pattern of light in the non-visible spectrum; wherein said first pattern is distinct from said second pattern; an interface in communication with the first and second light units and configured to receive information of an operational mode of the wayside device; wherein the first and second light units are responsive to one or more first control signals from said interface to operate in a first mode, corresponding to a first operational mode of the wayside device, in which said first pattern of light is on and said second pattern of light is off; and wherein the first and second light units are responsive to one or more second control signals from said interface to operate in a second mode, corresponding to a second operational mode of the wayside device, in which said first pattern of light is off and said second pattern of light is on.