Transportation Vehicle Loading Data With Multi-Sensor Passenger Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining load data in transportation vehicles, such as trains, are inaccurate due to the limitations of stereoscopic cameras at doorways and unreliable data from suspension equipment, failing to account for passenger flow within the vehicle.

Innovation Solution

A method and system utilizing multiple data sources, including stereoscopic cameras, infrared sensors, pressure sensors, mobile devices, and suspension equipment data, to accurately determine loading data by integrating Bluetooth beacons for passenger tracking and combining data from various detection means.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If stereoscopic cameras are placed at doorways for counting passengers, then passenger counting is enabled, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to failure rate and inability to monitor passenger flow within the vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassenger counting capabilityVSAvoidloading data accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple detection means (stereoscopic cameras at doorways, infrared sensors inside vehicles, pressure sensors on seats, mobile device data, and suspension equipment data) into an integrated system. This merging of detection methods compensates for the limitations of individual sensors, achieving both ease of operation and high measurement precision for loading data determination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the vehicle into multiple monitoring zones with different detection technologies: doorways use stereoscopic cameras, interior spaces use infrared sensors, seats use pressure sensors, and suspension systems provide additional data. This segmentation allows each sensor type to operate in its optimal environment, improving overall measurement accuracy while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If equipment operating in relation to suspension means is used for load determination, then loading data can be obtained, but reliability deteriorates due to data inaccuracy and unavailability in real time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading data acquisitionVSAvoiddata accuracy and availability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where data from suspension equipment is continuously cross-validated with data from infrared sensors, pressure sensors, and mobile devices. This feedback loop ensures that when suspension equipment data is unavailable or inaccurate, alternative sources provide reliable real-time loading information, maintaining both productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The detection system is designed with multi-functionality, where each component can serve multiple purposes. For example, pressure sensors on seats not only detect seat occupancy but also contribute to overall load calculation. Mobile devices provide both passenger location data and load information. This universality ensures reliable data acquisition from multiple sources, compensating for suspension equipment limitations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If only stereoscopic cameras at doorways are used, then system complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to monitor passenger flow within the vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structureVSAvoidloading status monitoring
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the passenger flow monitoring function from the doorway camera system and assigns it to dedicated infrared sensors positioned inside the vehicle. This extraction allows the doorway cameras to focus on passenger counting while infrared sensors specifically monitor movement within the vehicle, improving measurement precision without significantly increasing overall system complexity through modular addition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Enhances the accuracy of load determination by considering passenger presence and vehicle dynamics, providing real-time and comprehensive loading data for transportation vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

said first detection device may comprise a stereoscopic camera and/or an infrared sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

said second detection may comprise a pressure sensor arranged with respect to a seat placed in said vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure sensing: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3726189B1A method for determining loading data in connection with a load supported by a transportation vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 ALSTOM HOLDINGS SA
  • EP3726189B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3726189B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A method for determining loading data in connection with a load supported by a transportation vehicle, a system implementing a such method, a corresponding program, a corresponding computer readable medium and a transportation vehicle provided with such system.